November brings more sunshine and also international connections to our shores, including cross-cultural conversations old and new. Art is for everyone, and that includes the little ones. If it is tricky to get the kids interested in art and culture then there are some great things on offer this month. Here’s what’s happening in November:
Denmark Design
Auckland Art Gallery
Danish design is renowned for sleek lines, sophistication, and groundbreaking craftsmanship. Defining the mid-century aesthetic, its elegant but functional approach became shorthand for modern and stylish living. Denmark Design presents over 200 original objects – including iconic furniture, fabric, jewellery, ceramics, and toys – exploring the makers, principles, and social contexts that gave rise to a new way of living. AAG Members free. aucklandartgallery.com
The Shouting Valley
Gus Fisher Gallery
Taking its title from Language Gulf in the Shouting Valley by current Turner-prize nominee Lawrence Abu Hamdan (Lebanon), the exhibition presents this audio essay along with work Hoda Afshar (Iran/Australia), Shahriar Asdollah-Zadeh (Philippines/NZ), Cushla Donaldson (NZ), and Jun Yang (Austria/Taiwan/Japan). Exploring freedom, restriction, and the implications of migration and movement, this exhibition touches on some of the most critical issues of our time. Public programme events are Saturday 16 November, 2pm-4.30pm. Artist talk by Hoda Afshar at 2pm. gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz
Tākiri: An Unfurling
New Zealand Maritime Museum
Inspired by one of this nation’s most defining maritime events, the arrival of the HMS Endeavour and subsequent Maori and European encounters, this exhibition sees contemporary artists responding to treasures in the New Zealand Maritime Museum collection. Featuring a diverse range of new work including sculpture, photography, illustration, cloth making, weaving, and sound, by artists Chris Charteris, Nikau Gabrielle Hindin, Jasmine Togo-Brisby, Reweti Arapere, Kohai Grace, Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti, and the 7558 Collective. maritimemuseum.co.nz
Rebecca Baumann: Automatic Drawing
Starkwhite
Australian artist Rebecca Baumann’s mesmerising works use colour and movement to evoke response, activating viewers’ senses in fleeting and unexpected ways. Created using flip-dot display, an electro-magnetic signage originally created for the stock market, Baumann strips this early technology of its function and reimagines it as choreography. In action the works feels like a code is being transmitted, communicating with colour, sound, and movement in a language we can’t quite understand. Opens 26 November. starkwhite.co.nz
Art For Kids And Families
- Voyage to Aotearoa: Tupaia and the Endeavour introduces young ones to the remarkable Tupaia, the Tahitian navigator, high priest, and artist who played a pivotal role on Cook’s first journey, at Auckland Museum. This family-friendly exhibition invites kids to experience the voyage with lots of interactive activities. Accompanied by a new children’s book, The Adventures of Tupaia. aucklandmuseum.com
- Te Tuhi Contemporary Art offers great family activities to accompany each exhibition along with popular children’s art courses. Activities sheet free at the reception desk. tetuhi.org.nz
- Art Club is a free monthly workshop for children to explore their creativity and be inspired by art. Qualified facilitators and materials are provided. Ages 4-10 years, Sunday 17 November, 2pm–4pm at Wallace Arts Trust at the Pah Homestead.wallaceartstrust.org.nz/education
- My Art Time is a free, kids-focused event designed for families to participate in hands-on art making together. Ages 12 years and under, every Saturday and Sunday 11am–2pm at Auckland Art Gallery. aucklandartgallery.com
