Ara staff feature in provocative exhibition at Arts Centre
16 September, 2025
Second annual show includes works from Timaru and Ōtautahi Christchurch-based Ara creatives
A new exhibition – Where We Draw the Line has opened at Pūmanawa Gallery at Te Matatiki Toi Ora (Christchurch Art Centre), showcasing the work of Ara Institute of Canterbury art and design kaimahi (staff) as they reflect on the boundaries that shape our lives and creative practice.
Running from 15 - 28 September, the exhibition features work from 16 Ara kaimahi across a range of media, including contributors from both Christchurch and Timaru campuses.
The theme, Where We Draw the Line, was intentionally broad, allowing each artist to respond in their own way, with viewers invited to reflect on how art helps society navigate identity, freedom and the challenges of our time.
“We use the word ‘line’ in so many ways - drawing a line in the sand, toeing the line, crossing it,” curator Dorle Pauli said. “In art, it’s not just a formal element. It’s also a way to express where we stand, what we value, and how we respond to the world around us.”
Referencing moments of political change in the exhibition programme, Pauli questions how we maintain the courage to take a stand in increasingly polarised times.
“Art isn’t just a way to make a living,” she adds. “It’s a way to explore who we are, what we believe, and how we connect to the wider social context we live in.”
Mark McEntyre, Ara’s Portfolio Manager - Creative and Media, says the exhibition was a powerful reflection of the institute’s creative depth and collaborative spirit.
“This show is a testament to the talent and thoughtfulness within Ara’s teaching community. It’s inspiring to see our kaimahi not only guiding ākonga (students), but also contributing meaningfully to the wider arts landscape,” he said.
The exhibiting artists include John Hill, Jane Schollum, Carol King, John Osborne, Oliver Perkins, Katharina Jaeger, Holly Liberona, Denise Mill, Kim Lowe, Stefan Roberts, Nathan Ingram, Rach Winter, Deborah Marshall, Wendy Clarke, Julie Humby and Tessa Warburton.
Thanking Ara for its support, Pauli also acknowledged second-year Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) ākonga Stella Masters and Shanti Wemyss, who designed the exhibition catalogue.
She praised the clarity, creativity and professionalism in their work.
Where We Draw the Line is open daily from 10am to 4pm at Pūmanawa Gallery. Entry is free.
👉 For more information got to: Where We Draw the Line » The Arts Centre
