UTOPIA GALLERY
To visit in person please come to 68e Guyton Street Whanganui 4500
Opening hours
Wed - Sat
11am -3pm
or by Arrangement
Opening hours
Wed - Sat
11am -3pm
or by Arrangement
Current Exhibition
BLUE - A Group Exhibition 3 APR to 31 MAY 2025
Blue is an exhibition that brings together the work of eleven New Zealand artists, showcasing their individual interpretations of the color blue alongside the ceramics of Angela Tier. Each artist has responded to the concept of "Blue" through their own instinctive creative lens, creating diverse and thought-provoking work.
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Emma Camden’s monumental cobalt blue glass staircase, bold in both color and form, evokes the fantastical interiors of Escher's drawings which also remind us of the iconic film scenes from The Labyrinth. This striking piece invites contemplation of space and perspective. Tia Ranginui’s Mauri Moe sparks a dialogue about spiritual well-being, which encourage viewers to reflect on mental health and the importance of self-care.
Tia Ranginui, Mauri Moe, Digital Photograph 2015
Kate Twomey By Lamplight Oil on Canvas 2025
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Angela Tier’s Whio presents a coil pot urn, an evocative piece that stands as a poignant tribute to the threatened bird species, the Whio is gazing downward in quiet contemplation. Could he be thinking of the impact posed by habitat loss and introduced pests upon his kind? Kate Twomey, a talented young artist recently trained under the guidance of Tatyana Kulida, presents By Lamplight, a remarkable painting capturing the energy and spirit of Tier’s son, Fox. The dominant blue book on the side table draws the viewer’s attention to the quiet joy of reading, evoking the mood of dark academia, while offering a sense of escape from melancholy. Ming Ranginui’s Till the Clock strikes Five speaks to the weariness of the 9-to-5 grind—something that resonates with many creatives. The piece delicately captures the tension between the demands of daily life and the longing for creative freedom.
Ming Ranginui Till the clock strikes five Satin, wadding, beads, vinyl cord, cord lock, clock mechanism 2023
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Thomas Carroll’s Pūtātara, a traditional Māori instrument, is both visually stunning and sonically moving. As it is played, the deep, oceanic sound emanates from a Triton shell, its form decorated with whale bone eyes, invoking the mysterious presence of the sea. It is an instrument with multipurpose use such as sound healing, at significant ceremonies or rituals and as an alarm for warnings or danger. Alice Fennessy’s Mermaid draws us into a surreal seascape, where flowing locks of hair dissolve into the ocean, blending human and marine forms in an ethereal dance that alludes to mythology and the natural world. Devon Smith’s charming figure, a bird-headed being offering water in a shallow dish, invites us to imagine narratives, what ceremony is being performed here or what ritual could this signify?
Thomas Carroll Pūtātara;
Alice Fennessy Mermaid;
Devon Smith Offering.
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Angela Tier Albatross Hungry Blues Stoneware 2022
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Angela Tier’s Hungry Blues addresses the contamination of the oceans through microplastics. The hybrid human-albatross figure invites reflection on the environmental impact of human consumption, urging us to consider the profound effects on ocean health and its creatures. Tucked around the corner in a shrine like display is a collection of Rosy and Rich ceramics, including tumblers, bowls, and a vase, all adorned with creatures and birds that are playful and enchanting.
Jason Fastier The Boatshed Abyss Oil on Canvas
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Jason Fastier’s The Boatshed Abyss transforms a familiar Wellington scene at Jervois Quay into a surreal landscape, where nature asserts its dominance with the presence of a giant snail slithering up the side of the building in the soft light of dawn. Nearby, Tier’s black clay Petrels—one as an urn, the other as a sacrifice—spark a conversation about the tragic loss of seabirds due to bycatch, a silent consequence of commercial fishing practices that claim 160,000 birds each year worldwide.
7. Richard Thurston Forgotten Memories (1/3) Digital Photograph
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Vivian Keenan Flotilla Oxdised Copper (foreground) Maro Recycled Copper 2025
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Richard Thurston’s Forgotten Memories echoes the unpredictable moods of the sea. Inspired by the paintings of Mark Rothko, Thurston’s bold use of color and form immerses the viewer in the vastness of the seascape, evoking a powerful emotional response through the sheer scale and depth of color. Vivian Keenan’s Flotilla features a collection of copper boats, their blue oxidized hues creating a delicate balance that shifts with the slightest breeze, reminding us of the ever-changing nature of the open sea. Her wall piece Maro, crafted from recycled copper ribbon, is a tribute to the tradition of taonga and passing down beautiful adornment such as aprons from generation to generation.
We invite you to visit the exhibition in person and encourage you to reach out for further inquiries. If our open hours do not suit, please contact us to arrange a private viewing.
We invite you to visit the exhibition in person and encourage you to reach out for further inquiries. If our open hours do not suit, please contact us to arrange a private viewing.
Policy for exhibiting at UTOPIA
