Ceramics that take on the appearance of the earth's crust fused by heat and time with glacial pools cooling in their centres; sharp digital montages that channel lives with lives – these artworks combine to create

The Fishermen's Daughters

TKW-7 by Irene Schroder.

The exhibition is a re-introduction for two Ngāi Tahu artists who were born and raised in the deep south but have spent much of their adulthood in the warmer climes of Australia.

Ten years ago, ceramist Irene Schroder re-ignited a childhood friendship when she saw Ramonda Te Maiharoa stroll past her gallery, Mura, in Sydney. The parallels of their separate lives formed a bond that has resulted in deeper friendship and artistic collaboration.


TOP LEFT: TKW-2, TOP RIGHT: TKW-5, Above: TKW-3 by Irene Schroder.

Both women are fishermen's daughters from Invercargill, both had moved across the Tasman, and both had bought holiday baches in their respective hapū areas: Te Maiharoa in Moeraki and Schroder in Omaui, where she currently resides.

Schroder says the exhibition pays respect to their ancestors and honours their families. It is about them re-asserting themselves back into the New Zealand landscape.

Te Maiharoa, who still lives in Sydney, has transitioned from stone sculptor to photographer. Her works play on personalities and their environment. The montages usually show an indoor environment with altered window views.

Among the images in this exhibition, audiences step into the bedroom of deceased author Janet Frame, who lived in Oamaru. "The montages are like detective stories," says Te Maiharoa. You can stand in front of it and you see everything. It is today. It's not Home and Garden (magazine). This is the real world. You get a sense of who lives here."

ABOVE: JANICE SHED 6X4 AND A HALF INCHES by Ramonda Te Maiharoa.

The Fishermen's Daughters was first exhibited at Southland Museum and art Gallery in 2008 and was opened by then associate Minister of arts, Culture and Heritage, Mahara Okeroa. In 2009 it was shown at Leftbank in Greymouth and then later at CoCa in Christchurch. It has its fourth incarnation at Forrester Gallery on 6 February 2010 and runs until 21 March.


TOP: JANET FRAME 6X4 AND A HALF INCHES / ABOVE: KITCHEN 6X4 AND A HALF INCHES
by Ramonda Te Maiharoa.

This is not a normal touring show with a set series of artworks because these artworks are for sale so audiences essentially see a new show at each venue. Aside from The Fishermen's Daughters, the two friends have been exhibiting members of artists for Save our Water – an artists' collective committed to raising public awareness on the devastating environmental effects of the proposed Central Plains Water project.

As well as trips around the Ngāi Tahu takiwā, Schroder and Te Maiharoa are also planning ambitious trips to Tangiers and the Antartctic within the next couple of years. Both are confident the locations will inspire new artworks as well as provide some amazing experiences for two life-long friends.