The NewZealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata is thrilled toannounce the arrival of anevocative exhibition by Auckland-based artist Abhi Chinniahwhich opens on 12 September. JaenineParkinson, Director of The New Zealand Portrait Gallerysays, “each portrait, set against Aotearoa's breathtakinglandscapes, features individuals in traditional culturalattire, capturing the essence of their heritage and personalstories.” This visual celebration underscores boththe beauty of cultural diversity and the ongoing quest forinclusion and understanding.
The exhibition offers a nuancedperspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by thesevibrant communities. In 2022, was acquired by the National Library of NewZealand, marking a significant recognition of its honest andimpactful storytelling. This acquisition underscores theproject's commitment to giving voice and agency to theindividuals featured, reflecting both the artist's personalexperiences and broader societal issues.
Curator DrAshwinee Pendharkar says “Through this exhibition,Abhi’s work, and these women’s voices offer us akintsugi experience – unique and authentic, byembellishing the scars of colourist experiences with alacquer of their spirit and gumption, turning them intosomething beautiful. Courageously honest and vulnerable butalso kind in the understanding, representation, and sense ofbelonging it offers to others like themselves. Brave in theconfrontation and awareness it offers to the likes of thosewho gave them the scars in the first place.
” – DrAshwinee Pendharkar. (Former Inaugural Curator ContemporaryVoices and Archives) Abhi Chinniah, a self-taughtportrait photographer, draws from her complex migrationhistory, rooted in Sri Lanka, spanning generations inMalaysia, and culminating in her birth in ŌtautahiChristchurch. Much of her work delves into colourism, shapedby her own experience using skin-bleaching products duringher formative years.
Reflecting on her work and the upcomingexhibition, Abhi says “This collection spans nineyears of my photographic work, capturing real stories, lifeexperiences, and the impact of generational displacement andtrauma. It showcases my journey from documentary-stylephotography to storytelling through mixed media portraiture.Viewers will be immersed in a multi-sensory exhibition thatcombines photography, moving images, and music, guiding themthrough the evolution of my work, the histories of thegenerations before me, and a vision of thefuture.
” During the exhibition, visitors will havethe opportunity to participate in events, including anopportunity to meet the artist, and delve deeper into thecreative process behind is toured by TeAtamira, Queenstown and on display at the New ZealandPortrait Gallery from 12 September to 8 December2024. For more information or to contact the NewZealand Portrait Gallery visit https://www.nzportraitgallery.
org.nz/.
