Events
| FREE ENTRY unless stated otherwise
| Past events can be found here
Please see below for some of our upcoming events as part of our current exhibitions programme. Be sure to head over to our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
Good morning, good morning!
8-14 March
Sign up to receive daily morning messages from artist JingCheng Zhao for one week. Inspired by customised morning call services available on major Chinese online shopping website TaoBao, Jing will greet you with messages every morning! 🖤🖤🖤
Jing recently completed her BFA(Hon) at the University of Auckland. Her work centres in capturing the lyrical dialogue between the rapidly evolving inner and outer landscape through site-specific work. She curiously invites individuals to join her new findings with very simple means.
Kete Aronui Book Club with Sam Gaskin
Saturday 20 March, 4PM
Join us for our regular book club of events where artists and guest speakers discuss books and texts pertinent to our exhibitions. Returning to Aotearoa after 12 years juggling VPNs in Shanghai and Beijing, art writer Sam Gaskin will discuss Chinese artists’ strategies for expressing themselves under authoritarianism. His talk will draw from the book City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong by Antony Dapiran.
Sam Gaskin worked as an arts and culture editor in China from 2007-2019. He has written about lake monsters for The Guardian, vinyl toys for The FT, and countless art shows for various websites and magazines. He is Executive Editor of New Zealand’s own Ocula Magazine.
This series is kindly sponsored by Unity Books. Hospitality courtesy of Kōkako coffee.
Cantonese Language Guided Tour with Wai Ching Chan
Saturday 27 March, 12 – 2PM
Hear more about the work of Hong-Kong based artist Wong Ping and his Cantonese narrated animations in a special tour with Tāmaki Makaurau artist Wai Ching Chan. This is a dedicated opportunity for Cantonese speakers to enjoy a relaxed talk and tour and to learn more about the exhibition happiness is only real when shared.
Hospitality will be provided.
Mud and Mind
Saturday 10 April, 10AM – 12PM | Bookings required | Tickets $10
Book your tickets here to secure your place
Clay has an organic ability to record human gesture and feeling. This yeilding stuff draws us back to our hands and skins, to small actions in the palpable world. Slowing down, paying attention to the sensing body, engaging fully with the unfolding form… clay work and mindful practice make excellent dance partners.
Why is it worthwhile to noodle around with a handful of mud? How might such an act change our state of being, if done regularly? And in turn, how might these inner shifts impact our treatment of others, and our engagement with communities?
Mud and Mind is a two hour group workshop, led by artist Becky Richards. Grounded in a series of slow-paced, gentle exercises in clay, this making session will explore the concept of mindfulness as a positive, political force. Through our hands, our breath, and the soft medium of clay, we will work together to slow down and grow more present – opening up conversation around methods of employing simple, nourishing activities as a form of peaceful activism.
While some basic technical hand-building instruction will be incorporated, the focus of this workshop rests on tactile experience, and felt knowledge. All materials and tools will be provided. Please wear clothes suitable to get a little messy, or an apron if you have one! Participants are most welcome to take home any objects they make – please bring along a small box for this purpose.
Objects will not be fired.
Poetry Night: Reader Response
Thursday 22 April, 6PM
Join poet, author and playwright Dominic Hoey in a curated evening of poetry featuring a terrific line-up of speakers.
Ria Masae, Liam Jacobson and Dominic himself have been invited to respond to various themes and ideas present in Gus Fisher Gallery’s current exhibition happiness is only real when shared. Come along for fresh interpretations and insight through poetic response. More speakers to be announced!
Family Fun Days
Selected Saturdays throughout the exhibition, dates to be announced
Bring your kids along for regular family focused events and activities on selected Saturdays. Dates and details will be announced here.
Free Guided Tours
Book a free guided tour of the exhibition for your community group, family, class or colleagues, with a member of staff by emailing gusfishergallery@auckland.ac.nz