‘Kia Kaha Puke: we’ve got this!’ Exhibitions reflecting on COVID-19 during Matariki 2021
When Denise Matene designed her COVID-19 photography exhibition, currently showing at Franklin Arts Centre in Pukekohe, she imagined there could be a part of the gallery for the community to add their stories. Matene and staff from Franklin Arts Centre connected with Tracey Aramoana, kaiako from Pukekohe Intermediate School, Debra Vonk from Pukekohe Library, and Sharon Smith, Senior Librarian, Archives and Manuscripts at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero | Central City Library, to make the exhibition 'Reflections’ happen as a whole community event. 'Reflections' combines interactive questions to the public, a video by Pukekohe Intermediate School rangatahi and a sample of Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections’ region-wide archive of COVID-19 memories. This exhibition is on display till Thursday 22 July. Matene’s ‘Kia Kaha Puke: we’ve got this!’ exhibition portrays daily life in Pukekohe during the first COVID-19 lockdown and reveals her wonderful way with colour. This exhibition is o