Te Uru presents an exhibition of new work by Wayne Youle, made during his studio residency at McCahon House in 2019. Spilling out from the Learning Centre Gallery into Te Uru’s stairwell, Elevation is anchored by a large sculpture that cuts across the centre of the gallery. This is based on the famously open-air children’s bunkroom underneath the McCahon cottage and brings an imagined section of McCahon House into the gallery. Throughout this exhibition, Youle mixes history with design and sculpture, demonstrating a deep engagement with the McCahon legacy.
Canterbury-based artist Wayne Youle (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaeke, Ngati Pākehā) creates aesthetically diverse work rooted in concepts of whānau and whakapapa. His bicultural heritage is reflected in his work, which often addresses issues of identity, race and the commodification of cultural symbols. Wayne Youle’s work has been shown in national museums and public galleries throughout New Zealand and overseas.
Photo: Sam Hartnett