City Gallery Wellington
Feb 19-June 5 | Reviewed by Kiran Chug

THE ICONIC painting of a little girl eating baked beans has become synonymous with Michael Smither, and those in search of his other infamous paintings that have become such a part of New Zealand life, will not be disappointed by The Wonder Years. Smither’s first major exhibition since 1984 spans the period between 1962 and 1979 during which he was prolific and varied in the paintings he produced. Explaining the time as a “hormonal period” in his life, due to his finishing school, getting married and “being religious”, the artist is modest and practical about the volume and range of works on display.

City Gallery Wellington
Feb 19-June 11 | Reviewed by Kiran Chug

THE SHEER scale of In Another Life is astounding. It spreads across both the West and East Galleries of Wellington’s City Gallery and has been thoughtfully displayed with a serious regard for the positioning of each piece. Patricia Piccinini’s aptly titled exhibition seeks to create, explore and present another world, different from but still recognisable to our own. In this other world, she considers the possibility of our being given another chance at existence and the opportunity to correct our errors. Eloquently, she states that “this show is about good intentions, about doing the wrong thing for the right reason.” Broaching questions regarding genetic engineering, rapid environmental change and the constantly shifting boundaries between mankind and nature, she uses a range of artistic mediums to successfully encourage her audience to ask the very questions that are easier to shy away from.

I know I should be writing some passionate (associate) editorial endorsing The New Zealand International Arts Festival 2006, but I am very busy with paid day jobs at the moment. So I’ll have to make do, for the mo, with a 13 Things To See At The Festival list. (There’s no pointing recommending stuff that’s already sold-out.)—AB

    Theatre
    » The Dragon’s Trilogy
    » Rebirth of a Nation

    Music
    » A Capital Celebration—The Phoenix Foundation
    » Orchestra Baobab
    » Parsifal
    » Toyota Picnics in the Park: The Final Fling—Fat Freddy's Drop
    » Tuwhare

    Dance
    » Aterballetto (Omaggio a Bach)

    National Bank Festival Club
    » Ba Cissoko

    Writers and Readers Week
    » Writers International—Michael Cunningham
    » The War Zone

    Visual Arts/Free Events
    » Michael Smither—The Wonder Years
    » Patricia Piccinin—Nature's Little Helpers