Public Art – A Beacon of its Times
Join Natasha Smith (Director Curatorial UAP), Judy Darragh (Artist), Reuben Paterson (Artist), and Nathan Pohio (Senior Curator, Māori Art, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki), as they delve into the world of public art.
Drawing inspiration from the publication Public Art in Review, Volume I, 2019-2023, edited by Smith, and with reference to UAP’s annual Editorial, Best Public Art, in collaboration with Artsy, this practice leading panel will unpack key themes that underpin great works of public art in Aotearoa and around the globe. The conversation will range from themes relating to accessibility, site-specificity, engagement and timing, and it will reveal the new perspectives that public art can bring to our communities today.
Natasha Smith | Moderator
Reuben Paterson | Speaker
Nathan Pōhio | Speaker
Judy Darragh | Speaker
Natasha Smith (Director Curatorial, UAP, Board Chair, Outer Space, Brisbane Australia) leads UAP’s global curators across Australia, China and the USA. Smith works internationally within the arts industry, specialising in curating and delivering art for public spaces. Skilled in Contemporary Art, Art Masterplanning, Creative Strategies, Artist Procurement and Artist Support, Smith has twenty years industry experience, working with leading international, high profile and emerging, curators and artists. Smith is Chair of the Board of Outer Space, a not-for-profit Contemporary Arts organisation in Brisbane, supporting critically engaged creative practice.
Reuben Paterson (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Scottish) uses the transformative properties of light to reach beyond appearances and pry open the complex histories and tensions that sit just beneath the surface of all things. His art is made in celebration of exchange and encounter, hybridity and fluidity, spirituality and sexuality, and is especially attuned to the dynamics of queer identity and whakapapa-based modes of cultural knowledge.
Nathan Pōhio (Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Pākehā) (Kaitiaki Matua, Toi Māori | Senior Curator, Māori Art, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki) worked at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū from sept 2002 – Jan 2022, in February 2022 he started work at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Pōhio is well known within the arts sector of Aotearoa New Zealand having researched, curated, and co-curated several significant Māori art exhibitions. Pōhio works to make visible the span of Māori and Māori art through research, writing, collecting, and curating at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki.
Judy Darragh (OMNZ) is an artist renowned for her brightly coloured sculptural assemblages, collage, video, and photography. Darragh lives and works in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland where she has played a significant role in the development of ARTSPACE Aotearoa, artist-run spaces in Auckland, Teststrip and Cuckoo. She was a co-editor of Femisphere a publication supporting women’s art practices in Aotearoa. Judy is currently involved in Arts Makers Aotearoa, an arts advocacy group and has taught at secondary and tertiary levels and has mentored a wide range of artists. In 2002 Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand mounted the major survey exhibition Judy Darragh: So… you made it? Judy continues to exhibit extensively throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and herworks are held in numerous public collections.
This talk is presented by UAP.
Let’s Talk Art presented by Aon, brings together 30 artists, curators, designers, and collectors for 10 compelling talks over three days.
Entry to Let’s Talk Art is on a first come, first serve basis. There is no RSVP.
A valid ticket to the Aotearoa Art Fair 2026 is required for entry to this talk. Buy tickets online.