Ka Awatea signifies daybreak, the awakening of creativity and the emergence of new voices. Creativity as a life-force is particularly resonant in a global pandemic which disrupted normal life and forced us to recalibrate. Creativity both sustained us and allowed new ways  of seeing. The pandemic also revealed new understanding of living in isolation, something that is all too familiar for some people who experience mental distress. 

Ōtautahi Creative Spaces is a specialist creative wellbeing initiative in Christchurch supporting people with experience of mental distress. We do this through studio groups, artist mentoring, collaborative projects and exhibitions. 

List of artists exhibiting:

Opening Event: Tuesday 27 April 5.30-6.45pm

Hosted by: Eastside Gallery, 388 Worcester St, Christchurch.

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11am-5pm, free onsite parking.

Vjekoslav Nemesh has been teaching art classes for 17 years and organising group exhibitions to help promote the work of his students.

This exhibition, From the North to The South, features several emerging and professional artists that have all, at some stage of their career, attended Nemesh’s classes. Joining local artists will be some from the North Island who will be exhibiting for the first time in the South Island.

The exhibition also showcases recent work by Nemesh. He writes, “Along with my own paintings I want to showcase a variety of talented artists who I have had the pleasure to have taught over my teaching career.”

Exhibiting with Vjekoslav Nemesh:

Jayne Kitto

Kim Mehlhoft

Sandra McAlpine

Svetlana Spectra

Wendy Worley

David Barnett

Jonny Bear

Di Badham

Opening Event: Tuesday 6 April 5.30-6.45pm

Hosted by: Eastside Gallery, 388 Worcester St, Christchurch.

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11am-5pm, free onsite parking.

Image: “Bubble” by Vjekoslav Nemesh, oil on canvas, 74 X 74 cm, 2020.