He Waka Tuia

02/06/2026

"When I’m sat at the table 30 years from now looking at the hills From my Tuscan villa with a whole bottle of wine yet to drink reflecting on a lifetime of happiness having had the privilege of busyness."

"Sometimes when I’m the only one around who can clean up the child-vomit, I close my eyes while retching imagining glittery stars and drinking with Oscar Wilde."

These are just some of the titles that accompany Chloe Blades' works currently on display at He Waka Tuia for the exhibition 'I put the flowers there so it looked like I had my life together.'.

Blades is an artist and writer, so it's no surprise that her love of books and art is woven throughout her practice. Her lush, playful tablescapes are filled with carefully arranged objects and books that have inspired her own work, inviting viewers to look closer. Their lengthy, often witty titles on the other hand hint at and reveal the unseen labour, emotional complexity, and quiet contradictions that sit beneath the surface.

📸 Take a look at the close-up snapshots of Chloe Blades' works and their titles in the photos below.
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I put the flowers there so that it looked like I had my life together
Exhibiting until Sunday 21 June

More about the exhibition here:
https://www.hewakatuia.nz/exhibitions

29/05/2026

Long weekend ahead! We're open this weekend and on Monday, from 11am to 2.30pm. If you're popping in to He Waka Tuia for a visit, here's what you'll find:

Exhibition: I put the flowers there so it looked like I had my life together | Chloe Blades

Activities:
- Available all weekend: Exhibition Seek & Find
- This Sunday: Kids Create | My Cup of Joy

More about our current exhibition:
https://www.hewakatuia.nz/exhibitions

22/05/2026

We’re excited to share that our offsite exhibition 'Rendered' is currently lighting up the screens at Invercargill Central!

This project has been made possible through the work of our Outreach Curator, helping bring contemporary art into everyday public spaces and making our collection more accessible to the wider community.

A huge thank you also to Heritage Studios for the digitisation of works from the Invercargill Public Art Gallery collection, allowing these pieces to be experienced in a new digital format beyond the gallery walls.

Next time you’re at Invercargill Central, take a moment to stop and experience 'Rendered'.

15/05/2026

Due to unforseen circumstances we are unable to open today.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

13/05/2026

Yesterday at Invercargill City Council’s Community and Regulatory Committee meeting, elected members agreed to recommend continuing the contract to run He Waka Tuia until 30 June, 2031.

This would mean He Waka Tuia would continue to operate while Council works through the long-term options for providing a public art gallery in the city in the future.

The committee’s recommendation will go to a full Council meeting for a final decision on 26 May.

Read more below.

Committee recommends retaining transitional public art gallery Date: 13 May 2026, 2:47 pm Categories: He Waka Tuia Art and Culture Long-term Plan News An Invercargill City Council committee has recommended extending the contract to operate a transitional public art gallery in the heart of the city.A...

10/05/2026

Arts Murihiku's Night of the Arts -NoTA is happening this Friday and we're joining the lineup with a fun Friendship Bracelet craft!

Bring your family and friends, enjoy our current exhibition by artist Chloe Blades, and make your own friendship bracelet. 💛

Fri 15 May, 5-9pm
Free entry
Adult supervision required for tamariki

09/05/2026

Mother's day kicking off early might just be our new favourite thing!

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our sold out event Out Of Office: Ask Your Father | Mother's Day Special with Chloe Blades this evening.

A special thank you to Chloe for inspiring us all with your art works and hilarious and refreshingly honest take on motherhood.

Make sure you check out this exhibtion - it's a must see.

08/05/2026

Tonight's the night!

See you at 6pm for the exhibition opening of Chloe Blades' 'I put the flowers there so it looked like I had my life together'.

Blades' works sit alongside pieces from the local Southland collections, pulling together scenes of everyday life - what we show, what we carry, and everything in between.

Come by, have a wander, and meet the artist herself!

📌 Exhibition Opening: I put the flowers there so it looked like I had my life together | Chloe Blades

All welcome! Free entry

05/05/2026

A wee sneak peek from our current exhibition changeover 🤭

We are closed this week but we'll be back open this Friday night at 6pm for the exhibition opening. Come along and join us!

Exhibition Opening: I put the flowers there so it looked like I had my life together | Chloe Blades

📌 Free entry, no bookings needed