Entitled ‘From the Archive: The Making of Futuna’, the exhibition makes use of phrases, drawings, photographs, sound and bodily objects to discover the commissioning, architectural design, artwork works and the development of Futuna Chapel in Karori, Wellington. The work was produced by architect John Scott (9 June 1924–30 July 1992) and artist Jim Allen (22 July 1922–9 June 2023) and constructed by a devoted group of voluntary lay brothers between 1957 and 1961.

“The Futuna Exhibition reveals the extent and significance of the collaboration between Chapel architect John Scott, Chapel artist Jim Allen and the constructing brothers,” says Futuna Chapel Belief Chairperson and exhibition organiser, Nick Bevin.

Described as a “poignant demonstration of cover and cave”, the ceiling’s uncovered rafters and matai sarking distinction with the concrete partitions and serpentine marble ground. Picture:

Paul McCredie

Co-curated by Chapel trustee, poet and artist Gregory O’Brien together with Christina Barton (former Director of Te Pātaka Toi Adam Artwork Gallery), the exhibition can even characteristic a wide selection of objects, lots of which may very well be regarded as relics, says the Futuna Belief.

“Guests will learn the way Kiwi boot polish, wood door handles, a bit of serpentine and a wierd rectangular sculpture are all part of the Futuna story which continues to be very a lot ongoing”, says Gregory.

He describes the method of creating the exhibition as investigating a spot and a historical past that’s nonetheless alive and evolving. “In bringing collectively drawings, artwork, pictures, video footage and objects, we didn’t really feel like archivists digging round within the distant previous. The concepts and ideas on the coronary heart of Futuna have develop into extra related and important because the a long time have handed. Engaged on the exhibition, Tina and I’ve, to borrow a phrase from Ezra Pound, “gathered from the air a dwell custom”.

The architectural data of John Scott consisting of roughly 300 pictures, 10,000 drawings, and 10,000 pages of enterprise information have been donated to the Alexander Turnbull Library by the Scott whānau in 2020. By the tip of 2024 this assortment will probably be totally catalogued and digitised and made out there for researchers to discover and entry.

“We’ve been very lucky to work with Alexander Turnbull Library and the Scott whanau within the enabling of this work,” says Nick.

A part of the Wellington Heritage Pageant, The Making of Futuna exhibition will probably be complemented by a collection of ground talks and public talks that may develop on the inventive lives and affect of the works of each males.

A hand-carved mahogany statue of Christ, by sculptor Jim Allen adorns the wall behind the massive stone altar. Picture:

Gavin Woodward, J.C. Beaglehole Room, Victoria College of Wellington

“We’re thrilled to have secured an distinctive line up of audio system; James Charlton, Puawai Cairns, Barbara Fill, Francis Martin, Chris Moller, and naturally Gregory O’Brien and Christina Barton. The depth of protection from the psychedelic intent of Jim Allen’s work to the authorized points of defending Futuna, in addition to the broader areas of heritage exploration and the inventive lives of those extraordinary males will make for fascinating listening,” says Nick.

“Architect John Scott and artist Jim Allen are each towering figures on this nation’s current historical past. Their affect and inspiration and the devoted efforts of the constructing brothers will dwell on within the work of subsequent generations.”

The Making of Futuna exhibition will run from twenty ninth October–17 November, 11am-3pm every day besides Sundays 11:00 am–1:00 pm (Saturday 16 November opening hours are 1:30 pm–3:00 pm) at Futuna Chapel, Karori.

The official opening of ‘From the Archive: The Making of Futuna’ is on Tuesday twenty ninth October at 6:00 pm.

Multi-paned gables of colored Perspex throw a tapestry of color over the chapel’s roughcast concrete partitions. Picture:

Paul McCredie

Entry is by koha. Ground talks will probably be held on Saturdays 2–3:00 pm and public talks on Sundays 2–4:00 pm. Details about bookings can be found on Eventbrite at Futuna Chapel Belief Occasions or on the Futuna Chapel web site.

This exhibition is offered by the Futuna Chapel Belief along with the Alexander Turnbull Library and with the help of Dulux, FL Bone {Hardware} Service provider, Heritage Studios, Molloy Joinery, Riegers Print and Copy and The Warren Belief.

Futuna Chapel is listed as a Class I constructing with Heritage New Zealand and is operated by the Futuna Chapel Belief.