Curated by Chantel MATTHEWS and TAKADA Aya, Birdo Flugas is honored to co-host R I C E Aotearoa.

A group exhibition in response to notions of self-care, R I C E Aotearoa showcases works from artists based in both Aotearoa New Zealand, and Japan, exploring the various perspectives of healing, reflection, and self-care through the creative works of the project’s participating artists - all of them coming from a diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and lived experiences.

R. I. C. E. is a response to a handful of ceramic R I C E. An offering to hold time and space for ourselves and others as a form of well-being and what this transpires into as artists. It comes from the acronym of R I C E (Rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Commonly used to promote physical recovery, this approach can also apply to the emotional, mental, and personal challenges that each artist goes through.

Works featured include Ami YOSHIDA, Anton FORDE, Chris BAILEY, Dave AUSTIN, Harriet STOCKMAN, Kawharu GREENSILL, Kahu SCOTT, Lisa GEUE, Michelle HUIZINGA, Ngahuia WILLIAMS, Sakura KORETSUNE, Satake MAKIKO, Sonoko SAKURAI, virginiejg, Yuka MAUD, and Yuriko ASANO. This edition (2025) will be held at Ūkaipō Creative Space in Uptown, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), and is a follow-up to the R I C E Japan group exhibition held at Birdo Space in Shiogama, Japan (2024).

The works from made from these artists hope to initiate a conversation and give the public a chance to reflect among ourselves, and to remind each other how we can learn to slow down from the daily grind and focus on our well-being.

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"What started as a repetitive gesture of making and labour, turned into a collaborative pause. One grain of separation became an abundant observation of memories that matter most. Each work with a purpose to nurture, nourish and reflect on what matters most."

- Chantel MATTHEWS, Curator

Title / タイトル

R I C E Aotearoa @ Ūkaipo, Aotearoa New Zealand

Exhibition Period / 展覧会期間

4 October (Saturday) to 14 October (Tuesday)
Regular Exhibition Hours: 12:00 to 15:00

2025年 10月4日 (土) - 14日(火)
開催時間:12:00 - 15:00

Venue / 場所

Ūkaipo
249 Symonds St, Uptown, Auckland, 1010
Aotearoa New Zealand

Ūkaipo Access Map / Ūkaipoへのアクセス

関係イベント・Related Events

① CERAMIC R I C E MAKING WORKSHOPS

Craft out ceramic rice grains out of clay and the enjoy the creative moments of self-care in the process either by yourself or in good company.

DATE/TIME: 10 October (Friday) and 11 October (Saturday) from 12:00 to 14:00.
VENUE: Ūkaipo, 249 Symonds St, Uptown, Auckland, 1010, Aotearoa New Zealand (MAP)

BOOKINGS: Please contact Chantel MATTHEWS (@chantelmatthews) on Instagram to book and register for the workshops.

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② ARTIST TALK WITH YOSHIDA AMI (吉田愛美)

Honda Artist Studio (本多工房) member & R I C E Project participant, sculptor Ami YOSHIDA (吉田愛美) will talk about her artistic practice and various aspects of self-care.

DATE/TIME: Saturday, 11 October 2025 from 14:00

VENUE: Te Tuhi Art Gallery, 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga, Auckland, 2010, New Zealand (MAP)

MORE INFO: RSVP Not required. Light refreshments will be served.

INSTAGRAM: @tetuhiart

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③ TE ANA O HINE PUBLIC TOUR BY NGAROMA RILEY

Fellow R I C E Project participant and sculptor NGAROMA Riley will facilitate a public tour of Te Ana o Hine, located at the Te Tuhi Art Gallery. Te Ana o Hine is a wāhine-led carving space born from the need to create a safe and supportive environment for wāhine taketake who encounter barriers in the carving world.

DATE/TIME: Saturday, 11 October 2025 after the Artist Talk with YOSHIDA Ami.

VENUE: Te Tuhi Art Gallery, 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga, Auckland, 2010, New Zealand (MAP)

MORE INFO

INSTAGRAM: @tetuhiart

Participating Artists / 参加アーティスト

Ami YOSHIDA (吉田愛美)
Anton FORDE
Chris BAILEY
Dave AUSTIN
Harriet STOCKMAN
Kawharu GREENSILL
Kahu SCOTT
Lisa GEUE
Michelle HUIZINGA
Ngahuia WILLIAMS
Sakura KORETSUNE (是恒さくら)
SATAKE Makiko (佐竹真紀子)
SAKURAI Sonoko (櫻井園子)
virginiejg
Yuka MAUD
Yuriko ASANO (浅野友理子)

Digital Catalog / デジタルカタログ

Now Available To Read & Download / 現在ご利用いただけます