Wellington is a hive of activity at the moment, whether inspired by or in spite of the approaching Rugby World Cup, and there is plenty to see.
Firstly, do your eyes a favour and check out the Fiona Pardington photographic exhibition titled …Immortally Yours at the Suite Gallery on Cuba St which will run until 17 September. Pardington created the six pieces in Paris while completing a Laureate Artistic Creations Project with the Musee du Quai Branly. The lush floral subject matter is captured by Pardington in an intimate and slightly dark nature. It may surprise the viewer to find out that these blooms are actually fake silk flowers from the markets of Paris.
Secondly, the New Dowse Art Museum presents Knitted & Knotted, an exhibition that for the next three months will celebrate this institutions famous love of the daring and the craft. These are two words that do not normally go together, yet when you see the knitted Jesus, you will surely understand what inspires the New Dowse to support artists that continue to surprise within the contemporary craft world. Runs from 27th of August until November 20th.
To counteract the crochet and floristry, the National Portrait Gallery will suffice all your masculine sensibilities with the opening of an exhibition that celebrates our national sport in portraiture. The Match, a collection a portraits of New Zealand rugby players by David Matches, takes a raw approach to capturing players moments after they leave the field in jubilation or battered and bruised. Admission for the first time is $5 and can be seen until the 16 October.
Finally, if for some reason you find yourself heading up to the City of Sails be sure you check out the re-opened Auckland City Gallery. The buzz that surrounds this opening rivals that over whatever Kate Middleton is wearing this week.