Panel Discussion: Navigating the Art World

Saturday 2 November 2024, 11am
Free, no booking required

Join us for a panel discussion on navigating the art world as an artist in Aotearoa. This event features established figures from the contemporary art sector in Aotearoa, who will share their insights, experiences and advice.

Chaired by Hastings Art Gallery’s Audience and Learning Manager Elham Salari, this discussion will cover key topics such as gallery representation, building networks and the importance of local engagement. Whether you’re an emerging artist, an established practitioner or simply curious about the inner workings of the art world, this talk will provide valuable perspectives from:

• Judy Darragh – Artist & arts advocate
• Melaine Tangaere Baldwin – Artist, Curator and HOEA! Gallery Director
• Tim Melville – Tim Melville Gallery Director
• Sophie Davis – Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery Director

There will also be a chance for audience questions.

Our Panellists:

Judy Darragh lives and works in Auckland and played a significant role in the development of Artspace Aotearoa, Auckland, the independent artist run space Teststrip, Auckland and Cuckoo. She was born in Christchurch, completed a Diploma in Visual Communication and Design at the Wellington Polytechnic and has taught at tertiary level for many years. She has exhibited widely and her works are held in various major collections including Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetū, Christchurch; Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington; Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland; and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth. In 2004 the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa featured a major retrospective of her work entitled ‘Judy Darragh: So… you made it?’, curated by Natasha Conland. Darragh is represented by Jonathan Smart Gallery, Christchurch and Two Rooms, Auckland.

Melanie Tangaere Baldwin (Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine) is a Ngāti Porou artist and curator based in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne. Her work is research-based and largely focused on Te Ao Māori, Mana Wahine, the stereotyping of indigenous peoples and the effects of settler colonialism on notions of power, beauty and worth. Melanie is a multi-disciplinary artist whose previous works have included painting, sculpture, digital manipulation, photography, embroidery and video.
She is one of the founders and the current Creative Director of HOEA! Gallery in Gisborne. Additionally, she is the curator of Te Ara I Whiti for Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival.

Tim Melville is the owner and director of Tim Melville Gallery which he established in 2007 in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. He is of Te Arawa (Ngāti Whakaue) and Te Atiawa descent and is particularly committed to promoting indigenous artists’ work. His gallery features a diverse exhibition programme supporting emerging, mid-career and senior artists from Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and Australia.
Tim was a member of Haerewa, the Māori Advisory Group at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, until 2021. He has also served as a Trustee of the Burnett Foundation. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for the Wairau Māori Art Gallery located in Whangārei's Hundertwasser Art Centre.

Sophie Davis is the Director of Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery. She joined the Gallery in late 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from various art institutions across Aotearoa, including Director/Curator at Enjoy Contemporary Art Space in Wellington and acting Curator at Dunedin Public Art Gallery. She has also been involved with The Physics Room in Christchurch and co-founded the independent art space North Projects.
Her curatorial work is known for its collaborative approach and strong vision, focusing on both local and international contemporary art. In addition to her curatorial roles, Sophie has contributed to various art and design publications, exploring contemporary curatorial practices and addressing themes of art, labour, and collective dialogue through queer and feminist perspectives. She holds a Master’s degree in Art History and Theory from the University of Canterbury and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Ilam School of Fine Arts.