The Friends ‘Special to Me’ event brought three special guests together to share a story that art has played in their lives.
They were Judy Turner, former gallery trustee and founder of the Friends in 2009, who shared her story about a precious ceremonial wedding quilt. It had been passed down through several generations, saved and finally rescued from a period of great conflict and destruction by family connecting from the Levantine through to London.
Dr Warren Young, who joined the Toi MAHARA board in 2024, brings his previous experience as Chair of Arts Access Aotearoa to the gallery. He has spent 30 years working in, and studying, aspects of the criminal justice system. He shared a personal tale of the role that art has played in his family life. Then he told a moving story about the transformative impact he has observed art-making has for people in prison. When they were empowered to express their stories, this generated pride and ownership amongst their peers and meant their artwork and the space was always respected and protected.
Thirdly Gillian, Lady Deane, our Number 1 Friend from 2009, and a former teacher with a special interest in children’s art, introduced her new friend, nine year-old Evan Kim, to share his love of drawing. Evan has been drawing since he was four, encouraged by his parents Hayley and Han, whose grandfather was a Professor of Fine Arts and Architecture in Korea. He proved to be a confident and enthusiastic speaker about his highly detailed and skilful drawings of buildings, vehicles and cities, and completely charmed the Friends. Evan has already developed the habit of practising art in his daily life and we look forward to seeing how his work develops in the future.
