The many interesting ways a suitcase can be turned into art are on display in an exhibition at Invercargill’s Whare Taupua.
The suitcases are part of the Our World Inside a Suitcase exhibition that runs at the Forth St gallery until June 30.
The exhibition is a combined Wanda Foundation Environmental Arts Trust and Southland Charitable Trust Arts Murihiku project.
The Wanda Foundation uses creativity and storytelling to help communities have conversations and drive action for environmental sustainability.
The brief for those Otago and Southland people wishing to take part in the exhibition was to create art inside a suitcase made from repurposed, pre-loved or homemade items.
Wanda Foundation founder Anna van Riel said she was very pleased with the creativity on display.
“We have a very gorgeous exhibition.”
Fifteen suitcases made up the exhibition and the results were “magical”.
“It’s like peeping into little worlds.”
Students, individuals and rest-home residents took part in turning a suitcase into a work of art.
She would encourage people to visit the exhibition.
“We’re incredibly proud of the outcome and hope that it sparks joy for children and adults alike.”
She was hoping to take the exhibition to other locations, she said.
Arts Murihiku gallery co-ordinator Bindy Anderson said the group was pleased to support the exhibition about the environment from an artist’s perspective.
“Anna from the Wanda Foundation has curated a fabulous collection of artwork from local artists who have shared their creativity focusing on their environment in a positive way which has led to some beautiful artwork in their suitcases.”
Invercargill woman Traci Meek-Reid called her suitcase in the exhibition North to South.
An immigrant to New Zealand, her world stretched from the Chugach Mountains of Alaska to the plains of Murihiku Southland, Ms Meek-Reid said.
“Within those geographical confines lie my heart, my family.
“I used the structure of tōku pepeha to trace my journey and the people who have lifted me up to be the person I am today.”
Taking part in the exhibition gave her the opportunity to “luxuriate in painting, sculpting and multi-media communication techniques.”