Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, August 29, 2024
The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata is set to host “A Migrant’s Path,” an exhibition by Auckland-based artist Abhi Chinniah, opening on September 12, 2024. The exhibition explores the experiences of migrant, immigrant, and refugee communities from South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa living in New Zealand. It features 13 narratives presented through various media, including portraits, videos, audio recordings, music, and essays, offering insights into the diverse lives of these communities.
Celebrating diversity and inclusion
The exhibition underscores the beauty of cultural diversity and the ongoing quest for inclusion and understanding in Aotearoa. Each portrait is set against New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes, with individuals depicted in traditional cultural attire, capturing the essence of their heritage and personal stories.
Jaenine Parkinson, Director of The New Zealand Portrait Gallery, highlights the exhibition’s impact: “Each portrait captures the essence of the individual’s heritage and personal stories, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by these vibrant communities.”
Struggles and triumphs
“A Migrant’s Path” was acquired by the National Library of New Zealand in 2022, marking a significant recognition of its powerful storytelling. This acquisition emphasises the project’s commitment to giving voice and agency to the individuals featured, reflecting both the artist’s personal experiences and broader societal issues. Curator Dr Ashwinee Pendharkar elaborated on the exhibition’s impact and said, “Through this exhibition, Abhi’s work, and these women’s voices offer us a kintsugi experience – unique and authentic, by embellishing the scars of colourist experiences with a lacquer of their spirit and gumption, turning them into something beautiful. It is courageously honest and vulnerable, yet kind in its representation and sense of belonging.”
Artist’s Journey and Vision
Mr Chinniah, a self-taught portrait photographer, draws deeply from her own complex migration history, with roots in Sri Lanka, generations in Malaysia, and her birth in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Her work delves into themes of colourism, shaped by her own experience using skin-bleaching products during her formative years.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Mr Chinniah said, “This collection spans nine years of my photographic work, capturing real stories, life experiences, and the impact of generational displacement and trauma. It showcases my evolution from documentary-style photography to storytelling through mixed media portraiture, guiding viewers through the histories of the generations before me and a vision of the future.”
Visitors to the exhibition will have the unique opportunity to participate in events, including an artist meet-and-greet, allowing them to delve deeper into the creative process behind “A Migrant’s Path.”
The exhibition, toured by Te Atamira, Queenstown, will be on display at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery from September 12, 2024 to December 8, 2024.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
