https://depot.org.nz/event/south-versed-23/

South Versed, Otara, Otara (2026)

22/05/2025

We are excited to announce South-Versed 2025!

Opening next Saturday 31 May 10:30am at Fresh Gallery Otara 😇

Featuring works by:
art
hillanomaly

💖

Come support our local artists!

15/05/2024

SOUTH-VERSED 24: Diasporisms brings to light the experiences of Aotearoa-based contemporary artists of Tāgata Pācifica and Tāgata Ahia heritage, exploring the diasporic cultures intrinsic to the South Auckland 'village' identity.

The exhibiting artists for this year include Ahota'e'iloa Toetu'u, Andy Leleisi'uao, Diana Toki-Hu, Elisabeth Kumaran, Faleata Ualesi, Iokapeta Magele-Suamasi, Jesse Gibson aka COCOSHAKIM, Linda Va'aelua, Raymond Sagapolutele, and Zoey Singh.

This theme seeks to delve into our unique diasporic experiences, highlighting the cultural, social, personal, and sometimes 'othering' aspects that artists from diasporic backgrounds navigate. "Diasporisms" will visually encapsulate our diverse narratives and reflect our collective journey.

Opening this Saturday 11am at . All welcome ❤️🙏

Thank you to local board and

04/07/2023

South-Versed 23 has officially finished! We closed off by paying homage in a South Auckland garage - where it all happens for most of us!

This year's South-Versed hoodies were designed & hand screenprinted by & catalogues by

Thanks to all our families, friends & supporters. Hats off to everyone!

P.S. RIP Phillip

📸

#胡梦圆

26/06/2023

Final 2 days left for South-Versed 23 🙏

Super curious to see what has become of "Phillip" - peice by involving live mycelium culture!

"Phillip" consists of a physical tapa map that is overlaid on an organic layer of soil, where mycelium is planted. The mycelium seeks out nutrient nodes on the map, effectively navigating the map in real-time.

The map itself is presented on a box frame that is adorned with traditional Polynesian patterns. However, these patterns are added using graffiti pens as an homage to South Auckland's Polynesian diaspora, their imitation of Polynesian culture, and their evolution within a contemporary urban environment.

The glass casing housing the frame and mycelium is decorated with bright colored graffiti, applied by gallery guests throughout the duration of the exhibition. This live graffiti is a nod to the communal mark-making process present in Polynesian culture and represents an evolution of this tradition into the modern age.

Overall, Phillip is an exploration of the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of relationships and connections in creating thriving ecosystems. It is a celebration of Polynesian culture, both traditional and contemporary, and a reflection of the evolution of this culture throughout time and space.

📸

will be open Tuesday and Wednesday 10am - 4pm.

South-Versed 23 artists:

#胡梦圆

22/06/2023

"SOUTH-VERSED, a thrilling contemporary art exhibition in Devonport, Auckland, is set to captivate art enthusiasts with its dynamic and innovative collection of artworks.

Featuring ten contemporary artists connected to South Auckland, the exhibition aims to bridge commonalities among people and foster unity of creative expression."

Thank you so much for the coverage 🌺

Exhibition ends next Wednesday 28 June at so make sure to check it out!

South-Versed 23 artists:

#胡梦圆

21/06/2023

With 1 more week left of the exhibition, we want to highlight another South-Versed 23 artist Faleata Ualesi!

The elements of light and colour are used to playful effect in Faleata Ualesi’s selection of works in SOUTH-VERSED ‘23.

In his Light Cube series for instance, an array of colours projected from LED bulbs accentuate the laser cut motifs and designs that have become the artist’s signature.

The playful nature of each work in this collection is reinforced further by the bold colour choices in the artist’s canvases—these reveal an ever-developing palette of vibrant colour combinations, which challenges the viewer’s senses to fully experience every work on display.

📸 and .co.nz

South-Versed 23 artists:

#胡梦圆

21/06/2023

With 1 more week left of the exhibition, we want to highlight another South-Versed 23 artist Faleata Ualesi!

The elements of light and colour are used to playful effect in Faleata Ualesi’s selection of works in SOUTH-VERSED ‘23.

In his Light Cube series for instance, an array of colours projected from LED bulbs accentuate the laser cut motifs and designs that have become the artist’s signature.

The playful nature of each work in this collection is reinforced further by the bold colour choices in the artist’s canvases—these reveal an ever-developing palette of vibrant colour combinations, which challenges the viewer’s senses to fully experience every work on display.

📸 .co.nz

South-Versed 23 artists:

#胡梦圆

20/06/2023

Horizons by Diana Hu/Street Talk is a film that conveys personal journeys of Asian migrants in Aotearoa NZ through the expression of street dance, visual imagery and music, whilst also acknowledging and remembering those who came before us. It explores identity from lived experience; what it means to be displaced from one’s own ethnic culture and then to find and identify with another subculture–urban art and hip-hop–which has impacted popular culture on a global scale.

The song used in this piece, composed by He Luting 賀綠汀 with lyrics by Tian Han 田汉, has journeyed its way here from when it was first released in 1937 amongst a very pivotal time of political unrest and transition in China. The writers of this song faced persecution, yet would not compromise on their artform and values–now brilliantly performed by the Shanghai Restoration Project in a contemporary version.

Like the hip-hop and street dance cultures that inspired it, Horizons incorporates Super8 film with refreshing dance movement and strong organic visuals packed with rich imagery, symbolism and nostalgia.

South-Versed 23 artists:

📸 .co.nz

#胡梦圆

20/06/2023

Horizons by Diana Hu/Street Talk is a film that conveys personal journeys of Asian migrants in Aotearoa NZ through the expression of street dance, visual imagery and music, whilst also acknowledging and remembering those who came before us. It explores identity from lived experience; what it means to be displaced from one’s own ethnic culture and then to find and identify with another subculture–urban art and hip-hop–which has impacted popular culture on a global scale.

The song used in this piece, composed by He Luting 賀綠汀 with lyrics by Tian Han 田汉, has journeyed its way here from when it was first released in 1937 amongst a very pivotal time of political unrest and transition in China. The writers of this song faced persecution, yet would not compromise on their artform and values–now brilliantly performed by the Shanghai Restoration Project in a contemporary version.

Like the hip-hop and street dance cultures that inspired it, Horizons incorporates Super8 film with refreshing dance movement and strong organic visuals packed with rich imagery, symbolism and nostalgia.

South-Versed 23 artists:

📸 .co.nz

#胡梦圆

19/06/2023

Dr Sione Faletau’s practice has evolved through different mediums, arriving at an interest in kupesi or patterns, and how sound waves can be a medium for creating kupesi. Malama – Illuminate is a new direction in Faletau’s practice where he explores the materiality of projections, reflection and light, incorporating mirrors into his projection works to create reflective imagery. This piece explores the Tongan Moana Oceania concept of Teu – to adorn.

The audio that is featured in the artwork is titled Tau’a’alo. The performers of this song are from the village Holonga, Vava’u which Faletau has connections to. He was drawn to this audio because it has significant meaning to the artist. The kupesi created in the artwork is informed by the frequencies of the extracted audio wave spectrum of the recording. This new direction of the piece is a throwback to Faletau’s practice as a painter, revisiting the medium of painting through the utilisation of canvas and “painting” onto it with programmed projections that are mapped onto the mirrors and canvas.

You can view this piece before the exhibition ends next Wednesday 28 June.

South-Versed 23 artists:

📸 .co.nz

#胡梦圆

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