Two of New Zealand's leading contemporary artists will make a stop in Whakatane next month as part of a major new exhibition opening at Te Koputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre.

The duo known as Edwards + Johann, arrive in Whakatane in mid-April for the exhibition titled, from THE EDGE OF SPACES.

While here, they will also present a gallery talk and two creative workshops for Bay of Plenty residents.

The exhibition by Edwards + Johann, Victoria Edwards and Ina Johann, will run from April 21 to June 28, and features recent works in photography and video, with innovative use of colour and form.

'The works on show in Whakatane are essentially photography, although layered with drawing and collage,” Ina Johann explains. 'They are bold, colourful and insightful.”

The exhibition also features a new video diptych Only Ghosts Glow in the Dark, commissioned by the Wallace Trust in 2017.

Edwards + Johann's collaborative work interweaves drawing, painting, performative activities, video and installation with photography.

A connecting thread in their visual storytelling is the use of the obsessive line drawing over an existing object, as motif for the tensions and layers of daily life.

The artists will offer a free gallery talk at Whakatane Museum from 11am, on Saturday April 21. Two community workshops will be available for anyone wanting to find creative inspiration and guidance.

A free class for 12 to 16 year olds is scheduled for Saturday April 14, and one adult class is planned for Sunday April 15 (koha $25).

Both hands-on opportunities will invite participants to explore generating ideas, thinking experimentally, and making work together in what the artists call a "Co-lab".

To secure your place, call 07 0306 0505 or email [email protected].

While in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Edwards + Johann will also help begin a new Volcanic Artist Residency Programme being developed by Whakatane Museum.

Over 12 days, the two artists will journey to Whakaari/While Island, meet with geothermal scientists and environmentalists and begin research towards a new body of work involving volcanic phenomenon.

The pilot residency will culminate in a work-in-progress installation for the front window at Te Koputu.

"The development of an artist-in-residence programme that connects creative people with our active offshore volcano is a unique opportunity," says Whakatane District Council Museum and Arts Director, Eric Holowacz.

"It combines the earth sciences, subterranean energy and creative people to inspire new artistic developments".

As the Museum develops and refines the idea over the coming months, it will begin inviting artists and cultural managers from across New Zealand to propose a project, spend time in residence, and learn about local geothermal wonders.

Community members are invited to meet artists Edwards + Johann at the opening reception of from THE EDGE OF SPACES, from 5.30pm on Friday April 20 (alongside Whakatane Camera Club's 2018 group exhibition).

For details and information, visit the Whakatane Museum website (www.whakatanemuseum.org.nz), or contact 07 306 0505.