Kia ora koutou,

Please click on the link UC-Art-Acquisitions-2021 to view an outline  of art purchases made by the UC Art Acquisitions Committee, 2021.

Several works from this year’s acquisitions will be installed in Te Pātaka in January and all works will be embedded in teaching within various papers in 2022.

All works were selected for their teaching, learning and research potential as well as supporting the AVCM1012_Maori_Strategy_BKT.pdf (canterbury.ac.nz), and UC Pasifika Strategy | University of Canterbury, to enhance UC’s physical environment enabling students to respond to a setting that reflects themselves and their cultural backgrounds.

My favourite works are Sione Monū’s ‘Ao Kakala Ōtautahi’ flower clouds. The artist draws inspiration from Tongan garland forms to explore identity, family and Pasifika queer experience in the diaspora. Below is  an image of one of their clouds from an installation in Cuningaham House which you can admire next time you are visiting the Botanical Gardens!

Ngā mihi,

Lydia

Kia ora koutou,

Come and join myself and UC CoA staff speak about perspectives on art and female artists in Aotearoa at Kate Sheppard House. A series of quick-fire talks will be followed by a viewing of the exhibition Margaret Stoddart: Garden Scene and a tour of Kate Sheppard House.

Ngā mihi

Lydia

Due to Covid restrictions tickets are limited so get in quick! http://Quick-fire talks: Perspectives on art and female artists in New Zealand Tickets, Sun, Dec 5, 2021 at 1:30 PM | Eventbrite

Kia ora koutou,

Ever wondered what to do if there was a flood in the library?

Would you like training on how to safely use a fire extinguisher?

The Canterbury Disaster Salvage Team are offering a workshop now scheduled for Nov 4th – 5^th 2021.

This workshop is geared towards the GLAM sector, providing education, training and advice to those who are responsible for the care and maintenance of library, archival and heritage collections.  I understand there may be a couch burning demonstration!

Please find the programme and application form here  – K:\Management\Communications 

The first day will be held on campus at the UC Fire Station and the second will be a practical workshop at the Woolston Fire Training Centre.

A discounted rate will be offered to UC Library staff to attend the first day if you are wanting to only attend this session.

If you are interested in going, please contact your Manager and Lydia or Jenny.

Bula Vinaka,

I’m on the steering committee for the MBC Pacific Artist in Residence programme. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Luisa Tora, an interdisciplinary artist who has spent her residency editing a research film about the traditional Fijian female tattooing practice of veiqia.

Please join our current resident Luisa Tora this Thursday, the 14th, 12.30pm, in the level seminar room at School of Fine Art, for a seminar open to all students and the wider public on Luisa’s residency.

Here’s the Facebook event posting for the seminar if you would like to view further information or share on Social Media.

You can also view her current exhibition which thanks to Caroline, the MB Library has loaned some books to:

iLakolako ni weniqia: A Veiqia Project exhibition

 Dr Tarisi Sorovi-Vunidilo, Margaret Aull, Donita Vatuinaruku Hulme, Joana Monolagi, Dulcie Stewart, and Luisa Tora

25 September – 31 October 2021, Physics Room Gallery, Christchurch Art Centre

Vinaka vakalevu, Lydia

Kia ora koutou,

I have curated an exhibition just in time for Women’s Suffrage Day on Sunday! It’s within walking distance, so feel free to have a stroll and admire these stunning paintings from our collection.

“UC’s Art Curator Lydia Baxendell has curated a special exhibition of watercolours by Margaret Stoddart, shown at the home of her fellow student at the School of Fine Arts, Kate Sheppard.

Set against the park-like garden of Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House in Spring, ‘Margaret Stoddart, Garden Scene’ reveals a small yet important collection of Stoddart paintings from the University of Canterbury art collection.”

Event listing: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/events/active/uc-events/margaret-stoddart-garden-scene.html

A big thank you for all the mahi put in by Erin, Hannah, Sarah, Swee Hoon, Romy and Zina

Kia ora koutou,

Many thanks to Swee Hoon, Erin, Hannah, Isabella and Donna for working with me this week to create a new series of online puzzles using the MB collections. We have 2x featuring  Alum Ernie Rutherford to support UC Science and UC Foundation in moving his 150th birthday celebrations online.  If you need a well-being brain break check them out: http://kohika.canterbury.ac.nz/puzzles.html

Ngā mihi

Lydia

We are celebrating ‘Wear Rainbow Wednesday’ here at MB this morning! Anyone else have some pics to share?

Mōrena,

The Macmillan Brown Library Team would like to share our new introductory video. This is part of our Online Module development and intends to introduce students and new users to MB.  It provides an introduction and context for other modules and will be imbedded into courses within Learn.

A big thank you to all the mahi people put in, particularly Gabrielle who did a fab job as the narrator.

Lydia

Kia ora koutou,

Last year some of the MB Specialists assisted with research and provision of images for the Christchurch City Council’s new Street Gallery Panels.

‘Dotted along the busy thoroughfare to the central city, the panels share stories from the past, providing a narrative on significant buildings and landmark structures.’

If you are in town, make sure to have a look!

Here is the story that was recently published: Street gallery reveals Victoria Street heritage

Bottom left of the Victoria Street panel in the article is W.A. Sutton’s Clock Tower, Victoria Street, Christchurch from the UC Art Collection. A high res image of this painting was taken by NZMS for this purpose.

There were quite a few comments in the Staff Forum yesterday re if Cafe’s would be open on campus.  Until they are, I can highly recommend LB & Co Café on the corner of Creyke and Ilam Roads. You can order at the hole in the wall or call and order in advance (Ph: 03 9741460). Warning the Afghan biscuits are addictive!