An exhibition about life experience through the lens of mental health and wellbeing

There are millions of stories from the Second World War, but Ngā Toa – Many Warriors focused on just two of them. Hugh Nairn and Cedric Young lived in this region and, though they fought in the same theatres, had very different experiences of the war – experiences that were communicated in their own words, art and photographs.

Our annual MATA show exhibited the Excellence portfolios of year 13 students from across Manawatū. This year we had 32 artists' work on display, representing painting, drawing, printmaking, and design.

Common … Pause was a digitally projected exhibition in the physical space of Te Manawa’s art gallery. In direct response to the Covid-19 lockdown, the project played with ideas of inclusion, exclusion and the connectivity that came through New Zealanders sharing a common experience.

Toioho XXV presented works by staff at Toioho ki Āpiti, and past graduates of the Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts programme. Unique to Massey University, Toioho ki Āpiti privileges Māori visual arts, Māori language, Māori culture and Māori customs.

On an elevated site above the Manawatū River is Te Motu o Poutoa, known also as Anzac Park but generally referred to by a different name: Pork Chop Hill. In 1998, photographer Catherine Russ completed Pork Chop, a project documenting the steady stream of visitors to the car-park there. More than twenty years later she returned with this follow-up exhibition.

Ngā Hiere o Highbury was a photographic research project created by local Highburians and people who have a strong connection to the neighbourhood. Their images explore the theme of manaaki (to support, take care of, give hospitality to, protect and care for others in different ways), and highlight the strength of manaakitanga within the neighbourhood through people and places.

A fully interactive science exhibition exploring the lives of the smaller creatures of our world and all the ways they benefit humans. There were live wētā, cockroaches, locusts and other tiny beasts, alongside microscopes, audio-visual, dress-up and more.

UCOL’s Bachelor of Creative Media third year students presented Nocturnia, an exhibition showcasing their final year works made at all hours of the night. 2020's show had five artists presenting work in a range of media and creation methods – photograph, illustration, 3D modelling and printing, photograph manipulation, and film. These students had spent the last twelve extraordinary months challenging their skillsets, and exploring new and different ways of creating.

The second show making up Toioho XXV was an expanded version of the annual Matatau exhibition, focusing on the work of graduating students.