Gold and Greenstone
Gold Coast City Gallery
6 June – 19 July
Gallery 1 | Free Entry
A new exhibition at Gold Coast City Gallery will explore the intersection of traditional and contemporary Māori culture. The old and new are colliding as part of Gold and Greenstone, opening this weekend. The stories of New Zealand Māori living on the Gold Coast will be showcased with artists looking at points of engagement and overlap, of cultures colliding and intertwining.
Using the metaphor of the greenstone—a symbol of cultural prestige and economic power—the exhibition showcases the work of George Nuku, Darryl Lee Thompson, Turumakina Duley, Matty Te Paea, Chermene Castle and Reuben Friend, who has also curated the exhibition.
As a loose collective, these artists represent the first mass trans-pacific migration of Māori communities to international shores since the very first fleets of ancient navigators began to traverse the Pacific Ocean from Eastern Polynesia to Aotearoa, New Zealand, over eight hundred years ago.
Gallery Manager John Walsh said the Gallery was excited to present an exhibition that explored place, culture and identity in such an innovative way.
‘This exhibition is unique in that it charts the dynamics of migration and the issues faced as they make their home on the Gold Coast.’
‘Issues surrounding language, tradition and culture are something we wanted to highlight. We’re hoping to showcase the challenges these artists face in a way that hasn’t been explored before,’ Mr Walsh said.
The official opening event will take place on Saturday 6 June and will be followed by an extensive program of complementary events and activities including a fashion showcase, cultural demonstrations, kids’ art activities and the one-night-only ‘Matariki’ concert.
Gold and Greenstone is on display at Gold Coast City Gallery from 6 June until 19 July.

GOLD AND GREENSTONE PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Community Opening Event
DATE Sat 6 June
TIME 3.00 – 5.00pm
VENUE Gallery 1, Gold Coast City Gallery
Featuring food, drinks and a traditional blessing with Māori artists and performers.
AFTER DARK: Māori fashion/music/pop culture
Galleries stay open 5 – 8pm I Program from 6pm I Cash bar
DATE Thu 9 July
VENUE Gallery 1
Join us for an evening exploring contemporary Māori culture on the Gold Coast, featuring a music program and a fashion showcase of local Māori labels.
Cultural Saturdays
DATE Saturdays during the exhibition
TIME 1:00pm – 2:00pm
VENUE Gallery 1
Adults and children welcome together to engage in Māori art and culture. Check the website for the weekly program: www.theartscentregc.com.au
July School Holidays – Focus on Māori Art and Culture
DATES 6 – 17 July
VENUE Gallery 1
Escape the winter chill during the upcoming school holidays and engage your children and grandchildren with FREE Māori art and culture activities inspired by the Gold and Greenstone exhibition. Self-guided activities suited to 4-12 year olds. Parental supervision required.
Matariki Māori New Year Concert
DATE Saturday 18 July
TIME 8.00pm, Doors Open 7.30pm, Arts Bar Open 7.00pm
VENUE Arts Theatre
PRICE $46.00
Presenting the hottest Māori musicians from Aotearoa for one-night-only, in concert celebrating Matariki – The Māori New Year.
Public Programs are FREE.
Book your ticket for the concert at www.theartscentregc.com.au or telephone Box Office on (07) 5588 4000.
Main image: George Nuku, Bottled Ocean 2014, installation consisting of recycled plastic bottles and acrylic sheets. Courtesy of the artist
