A vibrant new show with a defined beach vibe has opened at the Hastings Town Art Gallery – Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga.

The Path is a happy celebration of surfing, but that doesn’t mean it’s a show just for surfers.

A wide variety of artists and mediums come together to explore the effects of surfing and its subcultures on artistic practice, as well as the importance of surf culture in Hawke’s Bay and the wider Te Moananui region. Kiwa.

A number of Gisborne’s names appear in the exhibitor list, including Brian Campbell, Troy Conole, Margaret Hansen, Damon Meade, Richard Rogers, Steve Gibbs and Tony Ogle.

John Walsh, from Tolaga Bay, is also pictured. He will join Hansen and Aaron Kereopa and author Aaron Topp for a panel discussion at the exhibition on Friday, January 21.

In total, 34 artists are exhibiting, guaranteeing something for everyone – from deeply soothing and reassuring scenes that draw the viewer, to joyful works that embrace and give a taste of the freedom that surfing offers. But make no mistake – this is not a “surf art” exhibition, says curator Clayton Gibson – also a man with connections to Gisborne – says.

“It’s an exhibition of the work of a group of talented designers who share something in common,” he says.

The age of the artists on display spans decades from the 1950s to the early 2000s, and the works on display reflect many influences on surf culture during this period.

“The gender imbalance among the artists involved reflects the time period covered, when women who grew up in the 60s, 70s and 80s were discouraged from surfing,” says Gibson.

Surfing in general has its roots in Polynesian culture, with surfing brought to Aotearoa from Hawaiki.

“Here at Heretaunga, we are directly linked to the oral history of surfing through the story of how Kahungunu won the hand from Rongomaiwahine to Māhia,” says Gibson.

This uniquely local history is explained in detail as soon as you enter the exhibit.

Gibson says surfers take years to perfect their craft and study the environment around them, much the same way a practicing artist does.

“Some of these artists have perfected their surfing over the decades while others have just started the journey. Much like in art, once a surfer masters the craft, an individual style of expression emerges. And the trained eye can recognize these individual signatures at a glance.

These instantly recognizable artistic signatures can be seen in the work of Claudia Kogachi, Walsh, Ogle and Aaron Kereopa in The Path, Gibson says.

Other artists include Glen Armstrong, Kent Baddeley, Jordan Barnes, Jeremy Bennett, Mauricio Benega, Lindsay Crooks, Peter Day, Scott Gardiner, Aaron Greaves, Bill Hayes, Joanna Joseph, Clive Kelly, Luke Kelly, Luke Kerr, Peter Lambert, Daryn Mcbride, John McLean, Peter Miller, Alex Monteith, Christian Nicolson, Isaac Petersen and Craig Potton.

Also included are items from surfboard collector James Newby and author Aaron Topp.

“This show gives our community a unique glimpse of contemplation that can be found alone in the studio or gazing at the horizon from a surfboard. It’s a sense of belonging and conscious contemplation, ”says Gibson.

The Way is open in the Main Gallery until March 13.

• Conference on the ground and screening of a documentary with Peter Day – Friday January 21, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Evening of celebration of the Way – Friday January 21, 5:30 p.m. The Path panel discussion with artists John Walsh, Aaron Kereopa, Aaron Topp and Margaret Hansen – Saturday, January 22, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Floor conference with Dr Steve Gibbs – Sunday January 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aaron Topp: Nor’east Swell Book Launch – Thursday, February 3, 5:30 p.m. Please note that all gallery visitors during these events will need their scanned My Vaccine Pass before entering. For more information go to www.hastingscityartgallery.co.nz

– Hawke’s Bay Today and Gisborne Herald

BEACHY VIBE: The Path, which features several artists from Gisborne, is open in the Main Gallery of the City of Hastings Art Gallery – Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga, until March 13. Photo provided