Latest fromVisual Arts

Pasifika kicks off at Western Springs
Around 100,000 people are expected at Western Springs Lakeside Park in Auckland today for the annual Pasifika festival.

Son for the return home
Auckland Art Gallery director Chris Saines leaves next week for Queensland after 17 years of working towards the gallery’s expansion and rejuvenation. But he’ll be back one day, he tells Linda Herrick.

The Breath of the Volcano
Pictures from the opening night of the Auckland Arts Festival performance by French pyrotechnical wizards Groupe F

Artist pays tribute to a Kiwi classic
Artist Ralph Hotere, who died last week, has been immortalised by a street artist in Auckland.

Brian Rudman: City's cultural desert is a mirage
What Auckland's cultural scene does lack, when it comes to Ateed and Aucklanders in general, is a true appreciation of the goodies that are on offer on their doorsteps.

My happy place: Corey Weir, tattoo artist
Tattooist Corey Weir believes his art form should enhance the wearer's life.

Tiny marae set for big tangi
In Mitimiti yesterday, John Martin was at the urupa, the cemetery where his cousin Ralph Hotere will lie when his body is flown by helicopter to the beachside marae.

Great artist who didn't like a fuss
Tributes are flowing for 81-year-old sculptor, painter and collaborative artist Ralph Hotere, who died surrounded by family in Dunedin.

Tattoo fest: Tats spectacular
A love for tattoos attracted thousands of people to the International Tattoo and Art Expo at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton over the weekend.

Controversial Banksy pulled from auction
A Banksy mural at the centre of a controversial auction has been withdrawn from sale at the last minute, the council campaigning for its return to the UK says.

Taking out the trash
He may have lived just briefly in Wellington with his family when he was a teenager, but New Zealand has an important place in British comic artist Rufus Dayglo's heart.

Turning parks in wonderlands
Ella Mizrahi and Celia Harrison are bringing Auckland to life - their events company, Celery Productions.

Silver Fern touted as better flag
New Zealanders are adopting the Silver Fern as the national flag because they identify with it more than the Southern Cross, a leader for a republican movement claims.

McCahon's much-loved kauri succumb to dieback disease
Twenty-five kauri around Colin McCahon's Titirangi cottage (left) have dieback disease for which there is no cure.

TJ McNamara: Portrait of a royal lady
The Alba family, the noblest in Spain after the King, has put its private collection of art on show at the Centro Centro in Madrid.

Challenged by frozen continent
Antarctica's barren environment has flummoxed and troubled artists for five decades - not least because its cold prevents them from gripping a pencil or paintbrush.

Twelve Questions: Elliot Erwitt
1. Of all the high-profile people you've photographed, who least resembles the popular perception of them?