Treasures at Canterbury Museum's SHIFT

6/2/2023

Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand is about to start a massive redevelopment that is both exciting and sad for locals as we farewell the galleries we grew up with.

The Museum has been emptied and international and local street artists have made their mark on walls throughout the galleries, offices, and collection rooms for SHIFT Urban Art Takeover before the building closes in April for 5 years. I was surprised at what I photographed. I captured artwork that made an impression on me, but much of it was about memories, nostalgia, and funny things. Like being part of a secret club with in-house jokes.

Read on for my 11 favourite treasures at SHIFT Urban Art Takeover (with some extra bonus photos at the end).

Tips for planning your visit:

There is an entry fee
Allow for plenty of time (I spent 2-3 hours onsite, then returned with family a few days later. I hope to visit at least one more time)
Wear comfy shoes
Take a camera
Listen to the comments of other visitors - it's fascinating and sometimes hilarious
Use the map and listen to staff suggestions on which way to go
Look for the little details
Wear something white (see below)

1. GLOW IN THE DARK ART

There's maximum impact near the start of the exhibition with glow-in-the-dark Flox and Sweats in the old vertebrate store room.

An added bonus is wearing white and also glowing in the dark. That vibe never gets old.

2. BIRD HALL MILARKY

I think I'll miss the Bird Hall the most when the museum is redeveloped. The weird light, green carpet, and feeling the serenity. And hearing people bonk their heads into the angled glass.

Milarky is giving it a hilarious send-off, replacing birds and eggs with these guys.

3. YELLOW SHELF LABELS

Not street art, but empty shelves and labels in the old collections workroom. It gives me all the feels.

4. STAIRWELL MURAL

I love this mural by T yler K Stent and Sophie Claire Violette. It was an unexpected surprise in a stairwell behind the scenes, and shows how collaboration between different sectors can work so beautifully.

Listen to the podcast of Sophie talking about anthropology, decolonisation, and language.

New works will evolve from the artists’ responses to their location, the physical qualities, the room’s purpose and the idea that there are certain items or stories that are distinctly part of the Museum’s history, and these might include scientific knowledge and related items that have been used in the building. There is an opportunity for artists to create new stories, especially those who have grown up here and have an undoubted connection to the Museum.
- Curator Reuben Woods as reported in ArtBeat

5. MARGARITA VOVNA

The old Asian Arts Gallery is another space with the Green Carpet of Nostalgia. I was drawn to Vovna's murals. Her work looks so tactile. I can imagine how the shiny subjects feel. The colours in the artworks by Component, Ross Liew, and Margarita Vovna are glorious together.

This is one of those galleries that made me Google the artists and learn more about them.

6. SYMMETRY OFFICE

THIS OFFICE by Sean Duffell. Check out the symmetry. This is absolutely my kettle of fish and it made me as happy heck.

My fourth-Great-Grandfather was a farm labourer called William Duffell. He arrived in Lyttelton in 1850. Sean's attention to detail and symmetry in this space is probably a Duffell family thing.

7. SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS HALL

The old special exhibitions hall felt spaciously grand after exploring all the little nooks and crannies of museum storage spaces and offices. It includes work by Ikarus, Benjamin Work, Wongi 'Freak' Wilson, Thom Richardson, Eno, Askew One, Jacob Yikes, Drapl, BMD, and personal favourite of mine - Milton Springsteen.

8. ORANGE DUCT THINGS

Are these orange duct things part of SHIFT Urban Art Takeover? I don't know, but they demanded that I lie down on the mucky floor and photograph them. They sit with Chimp's artwork in an old exhibition store room.

I'm here for the repeated shapes and spotlight effect.

9. ANTARCTIC HALL DOOR

This is another gallery I'll miss very much. The Antarctic Gallery was the same age as I am. It featured all the mod-cons of a 1970s exhibition. Rocks! Stuffed penguins! Flags! When I was small I saw a couple making out in the whale sounds booth which was gross.

Works by Levi Hawken and Mark Catley are to the left and right of the doors.

Farewell Sir Robertson Stewart Hall of Antarctic Discovery - we salute your role in our polar education.

10. ASIAN ARTS GALLERY REFLECTIONS

I found a spot tucked away with excellent reflections of the Botanic Gardens and 19th Century Mountfort-designed windows. It was a comfy place to sit for half an hour watching people go by.

The spray can is by Ghostcat.

11. THIS CALENDAR

Someone improved a calendar with analogue post-production. Every page has been given a glow up.

This is a good example of why you should take your time at the exhibition. Many people were walking straight past it which made me cross.

For me, SHIFT Urban Art Takeover represents the shift in art accessibility and diversity since the 2011 earthquake.

In the last 12 years, the arts sector in Christchurch has loosened up. Manoeuvring around bureaucracy (thumbing your nose at it) and collaborating with like-minded people became valuable skills - regardless of background or education. There are fewer barriers to creating art. I hope this continues.