Alice happy to tell more tales at Aratoi

CONNOISSEUR: After 20 years of working in some of the States' major galleries, Alice Hutchison is excited to tell Wairarapa's stories at Aratoi.

Art curator and writer Alice Hutchison considers herself a facilitator of stories: From organising technicolour displays on Emmy-winning cartoonists in Los Angeles, to bringing politically-charged sculptures to Italy, she has woven some powerful tales.

Last month, she returned to New Zealand, planning to weave some more tales right on her own doorstep.

After 20 years of working in US galleries, writing art critiques in London and curating exhibitions for the Venice Biennale, Ms Hutchison has settled in Masterton, assuming her new role as director of Aratoi. One could be forgiven for wondering why she traded in the bustling US art scene for life in "the provinces" but Ms Hutchison sees as much potential in rural New Zealand as she does in New York City.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunities the US gave me, but I realised my culture is back in New Zealand," said Ms Hutchison.

"In New Zealand, we have an incredible artistic culture and there are lots of stories we are yet to find and to tell. I have work to do here."

Ms Hutchison started at Aratoi on September 2 and is already impressed with the region's history and the artefacts donated by the public such as a 5-metre bird spear that was recovered locally.

"In pre-colonial times, they used the bird spears to hunt in the forest," she said. "Artefacts like the bird spear are things that local citizens just find in their backyards. It's so important to preserve [Wairarapa's history] especially with our ageing population. Our grandmothers have all these treasures in their gardens and attics."

Ms Hutchison's gallery career began in 1993, when after finishing her Master's degree in art history, she bought a one-way ticket to New York City.

It was there she "discovered her element", she said. "With all those museums, galleries and artists around me, everything started to make sense."

She landed an internship at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in Manhattan, which she described as "the coolest place on the planet", before shifting to London where she worked as an art critic.

She eventually went to LA, and worked as a curator and director of several galleries, including the Ace Gallery, the California State University Art Museum and the Skirball Cultural Center.

Ms Hutchison said one of her proudest moments as a curator was Aniwaniwa, a sculptural installation by NZ artists Brett Graham and Rachael Rakena, which she helped bring to Venice Biennale in 2007.

"That was the year New Zealand decided not to go, so I organised it independently," said Ms Hutchison.

"It was amazing. We had about 30,000 people came through, and when they saw those huge forms, their jaws all dropped."

Her most recent project, The Door Is Always Open at the Skirball, was a grand-scale exhibition featuring the work of illustrator and toy-designer Gary Baseman.

She was offered the role of Aratoi director in July and, having previously collaborated with the museum, she accepted without hesitation.

"The space is exquisite. It's one of the most exceptional galleries I've seen in regional New Zealand," said Ms Hutchison.

"It's elegant, but not pretentious. Whether an exhibit is contemporary or historic, the space can articulate any story."

Ms Hutchison has many plans for Aratoi, including increasing South Wairarapa's involvement in the museum and revamping its retail space.

For now, she is enjoying life in Wairarapa, especially the peace and quiet.

"The idea of coming back to the pristine environment of New Zealand after the chaos of Manhattan was so attractive.

"It seemed so idyllic. When the only sound is birds chirping or ducks quacking. That's bliss to me."