By Kim Choe
An exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery is getting a lot of foot traffic, both inside and out.
The show explores the opportunities and limitations of working in difference environments, and demonstrates the power of the collective.
It’s an exhibition that is “public access” by name, and nature.
The gallery’s current wallpaper comes courtesy of The Cut Collective – a group of six Auckland artists working primarily with stencils and spray cans.
The artists are relishing the opportunity to display their work in such a high-profile space – but say it’s not imperative to their success.
“It just means that it unavoidably gives you a bit of credibility with ‘serious people’. We’re serious about what we do, and we believe in what we do. Things like this help get the message across to other people,” says Cut Collective artist ‘Trustme’.
“Whether it’s a gallery or not doesn’t matter, as long as we can set our agenda and do it on terms that we’re comfortable with.”
But there is no denying how important the exposure is.
“The other part of the art is actually creating a profile, being in people’s minds and just contributing and having people participate in culture, in what we’re making.”
In building their brand, The Cut Collective has found strength in numbers.
“We really see that now, working together and getting to exhibit in public galleries. I don’t think you could do it as an individual as such,” says Cut Collective artist ‘Compotent’.
Public Access is on display until March 11.
3 News