Fresh Gallery Otara Celebrates Fourth Anniversary

Since its establishment in May 2006 as a partnership between the Otara community and Manukau City Council, Fresh Gallery Otara has presented almost 50 exhibitions featuring the work of more than 120 artists. With a focus on contemporary Pacific art Fresh Gallery Otara has programmed exhibitions that have strong contextual and cultural references to the site of Otara and the local community, which is almost 70% Polynesian and 20% Maori with 40% of the community under 20 years of age. The gallery has served as a platform from which local artists have been able to launch themselves into the next stage of their artistic career. One of them, local artist Terry Koloamatangi Klavenes, has been selected to to represent the gallery’s culture and identity at the milestone with his photographic exhibition Blood’s Thicker than Mud. Speaking about the impact the gallery has made, Klavenes says “a humble little art gallery found in the heart of Otara has been instrumental in shattering many of the stereotypes connected to South Auckland art and artists. Over its short history, Fresh Gallery Otara has presented artwork that has pushed, challenged and reshaped the boundaries of our art. I’m honoured to have my work shown as part of the fourth anniversary celebrations and count myself privileged to be a part of Fresh Gallery Otara’s history.”