Eclectic exhibition celebrates City of Design

Opening event guest Sarah Marsh with Katie Brown, whose glass light shades feature in the exhibition. Photo / Karen Hughes / Whanganui Regional Museum

The Whanganui Regional Museum is pleased to announce the opening of a major new exhibition, Whanganui Mūmū – Whanganui by Design.

In a formal ceremony attended by about 100 guests, the exhibition was officially opened with speeches from museum director Dr Bronwyn Labrum and mayor of Whanganui, Andrew Tripe. A blessing from kaumātua John Maihi (Tūpoho) followed.

The event was attended by Whanganui artists, designers and makers from past and present, with exhibition contributors and supporters.

The exhibition has been created to celebrate the recent recognition of Whanganui as a UNESCO City of Design. UNESCO is the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Now part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network of 246 countries, Whanganui is one of only 43 cities in the world with the designation of City of Design, and the only one from New Zealand.

The NZ National Commission for UNESCO and Whanganui & Partners have each provided funding for the development of the exhibition.

Whanganui Mūmū – Whanganui by Design honours the past, present and future of Whanganui design through a selection of taonga and objects designed and made in the Whanganui region. Focusing on the stories, the objects and the people that have long made Whanganui a centre for innovation over more than two centuries, the collection is eclectic and diverse.

The bi-cultural presentation shows how deep the design history roots of this region go and how extensive and dynamic it is. The exhibition aims to surprise, entertain and inspire. Some of the designs featured reflect the close interaction between Māori and settlers in the growing town. Others are everyday objects which means that many items on display will be very familiar to visitors.

Susanna Norris at the exhibition opening event, standing by photographs of herself and her family wearing clothing that was hand-made by her mother, Violet Murial Montgomerie. Photo / Karen Hughes / Whanganui Regional Museum

The exhibition has been carefully curated by Dr Bronwyn Labrum.

“The UNESCO City of Design status acknowledges the city’s historic and contemporary contributions to design in innumerable and varied forms. The selected design that we have chosen to showcase, reflects an eclectic and wide-ranging legacy.”

Local company Dalgleish Architects have designed the exhibition space, taking cues from Whanganui’s history, including local advertising and design. Elements of pattern, light and colour from objects in the collection have been used as key elements in the space.

The exhibition will be on display for at least a year.

Bronwyn Labrum is pleased to see many months of planning coming to fruition.

“Whanganui has a substantial, vibrant design heritage that is internationally recognised. We’re delighted to be bringing this exhibition to the community.”

Whanganui Mūmū – Whanganui by Design opened on December 5, at Whanganui Regional Museum located at Pukenamu Queens Park, Watt St, Whanganui. Admission is free.