Talking to the Moon

September 29, 2014
Toihoukura lecturer Associate Professor Steve Gibbs with his latest artwork.

Toihoukura lecturer Associate Professor
Steve Gibbs with his latest artwork.

Toihoukura lecturer Associate Professor Steve Gibbs admits to a fascination with the moon over his many years as an artist.

He did his masters, Huri Mārama, exploring the relationship between the moon and humans, with a particular focus on Tairāwhiti.

So it is fitting his latest exhibition ‘He Luna Korero – A conversation with the moon’ now hangs at the Portside Hotel.

“When you live by the sea and see the full moon come up out of the water, it is a natural phenomena . . . we take for granted the number of times we will see a full moon.

We always think we will see more than we do,” says Gibbs. “As an artist, I celebrate it.”

“These works explore our tribal narratives about the moon and related constellations,” says Gibbs. “I have tried to capture the magical experiences we have with the (rising full) moon.”

There are six pieces in all, with Whitireia taking pride of place.

“It talks about the time of the year – July, and the full moon which ties in with Matariki. It was done for a big show seven years ago and has been in storage. It is really neat when you find the right place for a piece (to hang).”

The newest piece in the exhibition ‘Hinekorako’ was finished the day of the opening.

Gibbs felt the atrium-type feeling of Portside was just begging for art work, and the opportunity to exhibit there came through a chance meeting with manager Trish Gordon.

“As an artist you need to have pieces of work in your studio that you try things on… experimental pieces. Some of these are the result of that. It is good to have a focus, but all artists need two or three things around to throw those ideas at.”

While Gibbs enjoys what he does, he says he is never too sure whether what he creates actually works.

“But that is the nature of the creative process, and the best judges for that are often the people who take the time to look at the works. However, I enjoy the teaching, my surfing and the active environment I live in.”