Ration the Queens Veges Artivism Screen Printing Event Date: Wednesday 4th February Time: 4:00 to 7:00pm What to bring: items of clothing, pieces of fabric or bags (cotton or other natural fibres work best) Venue: WAA! 183 Bridge St, Whakatū Free Event Film to be shown alongside the screen printing. Brought to you by XR Whakatū

Unwanted Colonial Knobs By Iarere Te Nuniko ______________________________________________ The last week of Unwanted Colonial Knobs down at @waaclubnz ! This unexpected last exhibition for Viewfinder has been a wild ride. I would like to acknowledge the openness and flexibility of the artist Iarere Te Nuniko who met the unexpected change of venue and format with grace and good humour. Big thanks to @waaclubnz for living up to their name and showing some much appreciated support in a time of need to host this work and allow ongoing public access to the pamphlets and poster campaign. To celebrate these good things and what it means to be a good ancestor, in time for some Waitangi Day action, please join us for a free screen printing workshop where you can get you favourite jacket, T shirt or tote bag printed with Ration the Queens Veges Te Tiriti art piece. Date: Wed 4 Feb Time: Drop in 4 to 7pm. Venue: WAA! 183 Bridge St Whakatū We would love to see you there Arohanui Katie

Historic times in Te Tau Ihu with the settling of the Nelson Tenths last week. This sees the return of land to Mana Whenua and the closing of the longest litigation case against the crown in New Zealand history. To mark the occasion, here is Iarere Te Nuniko’s artist bio that sits alongside the Unwanted Colonial Knobs installation and pamphlet. Their work is to highlight the ongoing colonisation that still plays out today. Last week’s news is a bright star on that landscape. Tēnā koe, otirā koutou, Ko Iarere Te Nuniko tōku ingoa, he hoiho pihitahi puakaha, he ringatoi, he tipua tūmatarau anō ahau. Nōnātatanei taku motunga i aku here mekameka, ngā tīni e whakataurekareka ana i ahau mō ngā rautau e hia kē nei. Ka pāhika i te raiona a Ingarangi, ka pūrere, ka puta atu ai ki te motu kia hau te rongopai ki ngā iwi taketake o te whenua, ki ngā tangata tiriti anō mōku. I te mahi rawa a Te Waka Hourua i Te Papa Tongarewa aku here i whawhati noa ai. Heoi anō tāku he whakakipakipa, he akiaki, whakapātaritari anō hoki i te tangata ki te whakaputa atu i tōna ake ki te whakarākei i ngā tohu whakamaumahara tuatini, i ngā tohu tiriti huhua hoki e whakanui nei i te nauhea wairangi a te roia ka-wana kore. Me whakamaene e te tangata aua tohu kia mārama ai te ao ki te tika, ki te pono me te aroha. Greetings one and all, My name is Iarere Te Nuniko, and I am a liberated unicorn, an artist, as well as a magical superbeing. Recently I escaped my bondage, the chains that enslaved and subjugated me for many a century. I escaped England’s lion, fleeing, then appearing across the country to expound the truth to the indigenous people of the land, to the people of Te Tiriti about my emancipation. Twas the work of Te Waka Hourua in Te Papa which finally broke the bonds that enslaved me. All I am trying to do is urge, encourage and also provoke society to go outside to embellish the many memorials, as well as the plethora of street signs that overinflate the unhinged scallywags of the royal lacklustre regime. People should rectify those landmarks so the world understands what is right, the truth and about loving kindness. Mauri Ora Iarere Te Nuniko

Thanks to all that came out on Monday night to share your views on bringing Unwanted Colonial Knobs to town. It was good have thoughts and feelings aired in a way people could be listened too. Thank you for people’s ongoing support of the work. It has made me think of one of the first installations held in Viewfinder by @leigh_anne_paterson where the artist fee was donated to the people on the streets of Whakatū. It was also seen as ‘controversial’ or ‘abit risky’ in some circles however no windows were broken. The money was held for a month behind the window and gifted to whoever needed it at the end. Free change. As the name suggests, Viewfinder has been about finding a view. A small art action that offers a view that might both connect and change us. What else is art’s purpose?

Kia Ora Folks an art chat on bringing Unwanted Colonial Knobs to town is planned for Monday 24 November at 6:30pm down @waaclubnz . This will be a chance to talk about the kaupapa of the work, shine a light on its initial response and ways to support the intention of the exhibition going forward. Please come with open hearts and curious minds. Waiata will be sung at the end with Ngā Iwi E and Te Iwi E. All welcome.

I’m so sad to see the amazing Viewfinder end in this way over the weekend. Art is supposed to expose people to new ideas and provoke discomfort. Now more than ever, we need to be discussing our differences, rather than retrenching into our polarised positions. If suggesting that our history had some colonialists in it and that they were knobs is seen as unacceptable, while we continue to celebrate the names of historical figures that objectively did terrible things, we’re not in a healthy place as a society. @katieepascoe has injected so many talented artists into the heart of our community, in such a humble way. As Nelson walks to work, or to lunch, or to dinner, they stumble across thought provoking and beautiful artwork from nationally celebrated artists. Documenting Viewfinder has been an absolute privilege and highlight, nōku te whiwhi, nōku te waimarie x @viewfinderwindow @_y0ung_m00n_ @karolina.gorton @occupation.artist @6x4online @samaradavis34 @javabentley @sam_loe_art @sam_duckor_jones @klaaszklax @marlborough_lights @catfooks @leighclayfibre @rpickrill

Exhibition and Viewfinder Update Viewfinder has had to move this exhibition and vacate the windows at Hardy Street. Parts of the exhibition are now down @waaclubnz and alongside the booklets. Big thanks to the folks down there for supporting the kaupapa of this exhibition. This move will see the closing of Viewfinder as an artist run project space. Viewfinder has had a fantastic run of supporting 41 artists and groups over six and a half years. The kaupapa has always been about uplifting and supporting contemporary artists in Aotearoa with focus on supporting diversity in practice. This has been deeply rewarding and fulfilling work which I have loved doing as a service to my contemporary artistic community. Big thanks to the lovely group of patreons who have sponsored and supported Viewfinder over the years. I will send you a messsge on that channel soon. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ It is with a sense of sadness things are ending this way and on this exhibition which holds many valuable insights into our colonial histories. One that I hoped would spark conversations not censorship and shutdowns. To witness and feel outdated colonial narratives being upheld in real time has been eye watering on many levels. If anyone is interested in learning more about disentangling power and paralysis in colonial structures and learning about positionality, I suggest you research an article by Andi Crawford and Fiona Langridge published in the NZ Medical Journal. It is excellent and talks to how stories we reflect and allow to be aired are essential to our health and wellbeing. There are excellent articles written across work sectors in health and education on how practitioners can bring positionality into their work, it would be encouraging to see this applied in the arts sector, especially in Nelson. Racism sucks for everyone. Toitū Te Tiriti.

Iarere Te Nuniko Unwanted Colonial Knobs ____________________________________________ The summer session has opened at Viewfinder with a series of collated posters and information booklets in response to the artwork of Iarere Te Nuniko. Highlighting colonial histories and naming rights that are still active and haunt Aotearoa today, Iarere Te Nuniko's artwork uses art as a platform for education and awareness. Big thanks @5everbooks for letting us use the information booklet format for this installation. Booklets will be available for the duration @waaclubnz . Booklets are free however any donations to @5everbooks are welcomed. Thanks to all the folxs who helped make this installation happen ❤️ Please note that in the making of this artwork all research was done in good faith, all content is intended to be truthful and verifiable.

The summer session is about to start in Whakatū, and we welcome Unwanted Colonial Knobs and Their Unwanted Legacy: A short info booklet to the windows. Take the time to read the fine print, and it will surely leave you slightly aghast about the histories behind the names on some of our nearest towns and cities. Using art as a platform to raise awareness and education, the artist hopes this installation might open up your view.

Last days for Annie Mackenzie's Fruits of My Labour 2025. This is a particular favourite Life Boat, 2025 which was inspired by a knotted rope door mat. Annie Mackenzie writes: 'Some people call this the lovers' knot as its spiral entwining is unending. To me making rag rugs is the slowest form of painting.' This sentiment wraps up the feeling of Fruits of My Labour, 2025 which is a homage to slow work, slow art and slow time.

Thanks to Annie Mackenzie for organising a lovely morning tea and plant swap today in celebration of her work Fruits of My Labour, 2025. Big thanks to all those who participated and bought plants along. Personally stoked with my beans, popping corn and grasses 🌱🌽 🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

You are welcome to join Annie Mackenzie for a spring celebration and a viewing of Fruits of My Labour next Saturday 13 September 11am at 259 Hardy Street, Whakatū Nelson. There will be a seed and plant swap alongside a cuppa and cake. Please bring your swappings to add to the table or just yourselves.