Photo exhibition opens for Matariki

A selection of Bob Tulloch’s photos of local kaumatua and kuia is on display at the Simpson Grierson Gallery at the moment. Photo: Ryan Wood.

Tauranga's Matariki celebrations begin this week with the official opening of a Bob Tulloch photographic exhibition.

Purapura O Nga Whetuis a celebration of the kaumatua of Tauranga Moana and its surroundings, as captured by the local photographer.

Bob shared part of this major collection during the last Tauranga Arts Festival at Baycourt, and now Tauranga residents and visitors will have the chance of viewing the amazing selection of portraits once again at the Simpson Grierson Gallery at Creative Bay of Plenty (beside the iSite on Willow Street).

Several years ago, Bob became concerned that many kaumatua and kuia of Tauranga Moana did not have quality photographs to leave their whanau. Toni Heke-Ririnui supported his vision and coordinated visits to the 21 local marae.

'We would go a marae for a couple of hours and invite people to turn up to have their photo taken,” says Bob.

'The motivation was to create some beautiful photographs for meeting houses. I had a lot of help from Toni – it would not have been easy without her making the introductions.”

During the project, two hundred images of kaumatua and kuia were captured, with the background of each photograph being significant to the subject.

'I'm delighted its part of the Matariki celebrations. Hopefully a few more people will see it.”

The exhibition is open to the public from today, but the formal exhibition opening will take place at 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The gallery is open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, with the exhibition running until June 2.

Find out more about Matariki in Tauranga on the Facebook page.

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