Macleans College students featured at Auckland Art Gallery

Auckland Art Gallery rolled out the red carpet for student participants in the Pat Hanly Creative Project and their invited guests.

The Young Gallery Night was the finale to the project and included the exhibition of selected student works from secondary schools across Auckland.

Nicholas Cao (Hillary House) and Alisa Zhai (Kupe), along with their friends and family, were invited as selected finalists to a preview of the show before the grand opening. The exhibition curatorial statement framed the selected student works; 'Displayed within the Gallery, these young artists' works are placed in conversation with our other exhibitions and taongas or treasures, creating a tangible link between generations of artists from Aotearoa.'

Alisa’s work 'Steps of Growth' deals with the whirlwind of culture which young East Asian girls find themselves in. Her portrait work reflects her subject carefully implementing the proper table manners expected of young Chinese women. Nicholas’ work 'I wonder….' is a whimsical interpretation of how people seeking where they belong may discover it in their dreams.

Throughout the evening students enjoyed viewing artworks from all of the current exhibitions, fashion pop-up shows, artist workshops, spoken word events and a live DJ.

The exhibition of student work will be on display at Auckland Art Gallery for public viewing until Wednesday 30 October.