Christchurch Report September - November 2025

3 Sept

Carolyn Currie

It has been a bit quiet in Canterbury over the winter months and our coffee catch-ups have been few in numbers.

But things have still been happening. One of our members, Gaby Reade, was involved in a group exhibition with the Critique Group out at the Oxford Gallery from mid July to mid August. The opening event was really well supported by friends and family. The theme was “What has the Wind Blown in?” - The exhibition referenced the relentless winds that shape the land, carrying flora and fauna across borders, including species from Australia. But it was also a reference to the human stories of migration—the people who have “blown in” from across the world, including some of the contributing artists in this exhibition.

Above photos

1st Oxford Gallery Exhibition - “What has the Wind Blown in?” - Gaby Reade

2nd Carolyn Currie and 3rd Jane McGowan

Currently Jane McGowan and Carolyn Currie have an exhibition at Chambers Gallery in Durham Street. This will run until 6th September.

Also, in August I was lucky enough to purchase the very last ticket to see 'GRACE – A Prayer for Peace' which was showing as part of the NZIFF. The film was the most amazing insight into an extraordinary collaboration between filmmaker Gaylene Preston and artist Robin White in a cinematic celebration of art, community, and connection.

Described as a ‘visual poem’, this 95-minute documentary begins as conversation and evolves into a cinematic path across Aotearoa, Kiribati, and Japan, drawing rich connections between people, place, and art — anchored in Robin White’s practice and worldview, it becomes a deeply felt exploration of how we live, what we value, and what we choose to protect.

Paulo Wellman and Kim Lowe are organising another Otautahi Print Fair in October. Planning for this is well underway, and bookings for tables have now closed. PCANZ will be running another table at this event, and the call-out for members to send in works will go out shortly.