Our lively new historical collection exhibitions explore Māori architecture, colonial portraiture, early landscape painting and mid-century abstraction.
From customary Māori carving and weaving to contemporary works of art that provide compelling new ways to look at the world around us, by way of colonial portraits and much-loved mid-century landscapes, our lively new collection exhibitions give unique insights into our artistic and cultural heritage.
The city’s art collection began with a single painting in 1881 and, through generous gifts, bequests, and purchases over fourteen decades, now numbers nearly 7,000 works. We continue to collect art for the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch, and their visitors. Like our local community, the collection is constantly changing and growing as we build on the strengths of the past to imagine a new future. It’s a treasure, or taonga, and it belongs to all of us.
Text extracted from Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū website.
The Pure Land: Te whenua taurikura is part of the permanent collections exhibition Our Collection: 19th and 20th Century New Zealand Art.