Exhibition to showcase Marewa tamariki's view of the world
A unique photography exhibition will showcase the way in which tamariki from Marewa Kindergarten see the world.
Thirty-three images will be displayed for the general public and proud whānau to view at the Through the Eyes of a Child exhibition at Creative Arts Napier (CAN).
Marewa Kindergarten teacher, Anne-Marie Perry-Smith, says the exhibition came about after seeing the beautiful images kindergarten children had captured.
“Some of the children were showing an interest in using our staff camera so we decided to get one that the children could have access to at all times,” says Perry-Smith.
“It was wonderful to see what had been captured when uploading the photographs to our digital frame each Friday."
Photos taken by Tamariki from Marewa Kindergarten will be showcased at Creative Arts Napier (CAN). Photo/Supplied.
Each image has been taken by the kindergarten’s inquisitive tamariki as they go about their daily learning activities.
"By printing some of the most impactful images for display on our kindergarten wall, we had a real lightbulb moment as we realised that some of the pictures were in fact, striking pieces of imagery and told a real story about what that child was seeing and feeling on that day. And so, the idea for this exhibition was born.”
Featuring photography including a butterfly resting on a tiny hand, an eye peeping through a hole and a Lego man abandoned on the carpet, each image captures how the children are seeing the world at a given moment in time, something that Perry-Smith describes as being a hugely important part of children’s communication at such an early age.
“We’re so proud of what this exhibition represents - what we are seeing through the photography is a unique insight into what they value in their world, what’s important to them within their day and what they are choosing to focus on. The photography shows us many details that as adults, we often overlook.”
As a truly collaborative project, the children who are aged between three and five also titled each image, ensuring that all tamariki at the kindergarten are part of the celebration.
The exhibition, which is an important fundraising event for the kindergarten, runs at CAN, Byron St, Napier from April 30 to May 12, with all images for sale. It has been sponsored by local businesses including A1 Homes, Alexander Construction, Beach Paws Dog Grooming, Craggy Range, Duncan Brown Photography, EasyPrint and PanPac.
For more info, please visit https://www.thecan.co.nz/can-listings/through-the-eyes-of-a-child/
