Heritage et AL

Awekura is a kupu drawn from Māori weaponry, particularly the taiaha. It refers to the arero, the tongue of the taiaha, which is adorned with kura, red feathers. The term reflects both the physical beauty and their deeper spiritual and narrative significance. Awekura is the name given to our blog and podcast series that showcases treasures within Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, presented by our library specialists. Are you interested in learning more about the world of publishing? Renée Orr from Curatorial Services shares with us a recent acquisition. This fascinating example of a private press book about the Japanese artist Hiroshige was once owned by Auckland artist Hilda Wiseman and is adorned with her bookplate. Image: P Neville Barnett. Hiroshige. 1938.   The artist   Japanese woodblock artist Hiroshige (1797-1858) is acknowledged as a master of landscape art in the “Ukiyo-e” genre, which was a popular Japanese art form from the beginning of the 17th to the end o...

In one part of the printed book collection of Sir George Grey Special Collections there is a section of books grouped by Private Press publisher name. Private Press books can be defined as books printed by hand, in limited editions, with as much emphasis on making an object of beauty as on reproducing a text. Private Press books are excellent sources of inspiration for artists and can be appreciated by anyone who admires carefully crafted things. Examples of books from some of the many Private Press publishers featured in the collection include exquisite first editions from Arts and Crafts era printers the Doves Press and Kelmscott Press, intricate book art from Flying Fish Press  and The Whittington Press , and a wide range of lovely books from New Zealand printers like The Holloway Press , Otakou Press ,  Puriri Press  and The Pear Tree Press. Alongside these fine books are journals that promote, review and critique the work of Private Presses and related in...