Paper-based collection items are now on display at He Waka Tuia for the first time since the pieces moved to Te Pātaka Taoka Southern Regional Collections Storage Facility.

Papier Graphica is an exhibition displaying Southland’s heritage through a selection of paper-based art and objects from Te Kupeka Tiaki Taoka: Southern Regional Collections Trust.

He Waka Tuia Manager Sarah Brown said seeing these items back on display was great.

“We weren’t able to utilise the collection while it was being shifted to the storage facility, so having access to this artwork again is amazing.”

The collection offered a unique glimpse into our past, celebrating stories from the discovery of Aotearoa, to the early days of settlement and the rise of modern civilisation, she said.

“It’s really interesting being able to see stories told through a different medium, in this case on paper.

“Some of this artwork dates back to the mid-1800s and depicts maps, landscapes, people, and even pasturage licences of the Sub-Antarctic Islands.

“We also have some pieces by Italian architect and archaeologist Giambattista Piranesi, which date back to circa 1750 that depicts Roman architecture and show a different perspective on settlement compared with that of Aotearoa.”

There are about 39 artworks on display and an area for kids to exercise their creativity with scratch and draws, watercolours and pencils to try their hand at.

The Papier Graphica exhibition is on at He Waka Tuia, 42 Kelvin St, Invercargill, until 6 October. For more information see Exhibitions — He Waka Tuia.