The Futuna Exhibition reveals the extent and significance of the collaboration of the Chapel architect John Scott and Chapel artist Jim Allen. This exhibition will, in words, drawings, images, sound and physical objects, explore the commissioning, architectural design, art works and the physical construction of this combination of masterworks. This work was produced when John Scott and Jim Allen were both in their mid thirties and constructed by a dedicated team of similar aged voluntary building lay brothers.
The exhibition is part of the Wellington Heritage Festival. It will be open every day for 20 days – from Tuesday 29 October to Sunday 17 November from 11 – 3pm (entry by koha – no need to book).
Please note that while the chapel will be open for these days while the exhibition is open, access will unfortunately be restricted to booked visitors only during the events listed below, and closes Sunday 17 November at 1:30pm.
PLUS – there will be three Floor Talks (Sat 2 Nov, Sat 9 Nov and Sat 16 Nov at 2pm) where the Futuna exhibition will be brought to life with by Gregory O’Brien + Nick Bevin, co-editors of ‘ Futuna – Life of a Building’ (2016) (bookings required for the Floor Talks – book here).
PLUS – a series of Public Talks will be held in the Chapel each Sunday afternoon of the Exhibition (Sun 3 Nov, Sun 10 Nov and Sun 17 Nov at 2-4pm). The presenters will talk about the lives and work of the Chapel’s architect and artist, the wairua of the heritage of Aotearoa and how Futuna Chapel was ensured of guardianship and protected (bookings required for Public Talks).
The speakers are:
- Sun 3 Nov – Artist James Charlton and art historian Tina Barton – discussing the work of Jim Allen and Futuna. Picking up on Ron Brownson’s description of Jim Allen’s Futuna Chapel work as being gesamtkunstwerk-a “total work of art” (2020), James will expand on the psychedelic intent of Allen’s art. Tina will discuss finding the pre-history of Post-Object Art at Futuna Chapel – book here
- Sun 10 Nov – Architect, comments and urbanist Chris Moller and Frances Martin. Chris will discuss understanding John Scott and his architecture, and Frances, will discuss living as kaitiaki of the Martin House, a John Scott designed house in Bridge Pa, near Hastings – book here
- Sun 17 Nov – Barbara Fill and Puawai Cairns (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pukenga and Ngāi Te Rangi). Barbara will talk about what it took to save Futuna 20 years ago, and Puawai’s topic will be ‘Exploring aspects of heritage with a Māori history nerd’ – book here
See the full programme below
A trustee and/or volunteer will be in attendance each day of the exhibition. Wheelchair accessible.
This exhibition is presented by the Futuna Chapel Trust in conjunction with the Alexander Turnbull Library and with the support of Heritage Studios, FL Bone Hardware Merchant and Dulux NZ.
The Futuna Trust is a completely voluntary organisation and all funds raised from the Futuna Exhibition Floor Talks and Public Talks go towards the ongoing care, maintenance and operation of Futuna Chapel and also to support various initiatives undertaken by the Trust. This year the Trust continues, in accordance with its evolving tikanga. Booking for these talks is on a koha/donation basis. There is a free ticket type but if you would like to make a koha/donation to the Trust to support the Chapel, please register using the ticket types of $10, $15, $20 or $25.
