The inaugural exhibition of the Mahika Kai Mahika Toi extension at the Forrester Gallery has had a suitable send-off, with “beautiful” poetry from New Zealand poet laureate Robert Sullivan and shared histories of people and place.

“Kārakaraka Toi”, a collaborative exhibition by 40 artists belonging to Paemanu Ngāi Tahu Contemporary Visual Arts, opened at the Oamaru gallery in April and ran until last weekend.

Members of the Paemanu Ngāi Tahu Visual Arts rōpū (group) and Moeraki whānau gathered at the gallery recently along with Forrester Gallery and Mahika Kai Mahika Toi curator Anna McLean and Waitaki District Council arts, culture and libraries manager Chloe Searle for a poroporoaki (farewell) to the exhibition.

Miss McLean said Sullivan had  “graced us with some beautiful poetry”.

Reflections were also shared from the journey and exhibition.

“The key idea that stuck with me from the Saturday event was explained by Kitty Brown,” she said.

“She said the kaupapa isn’t about perfection but it’s about intention.

“The showing of ‘Kārakaraka Toi’ was fitting for the opening of our new extension Mahika Kai Mahika Toi, because the works honour the place and people of this whenua.”

The exhibition emerged from a four-day journey by the artist collective along te awa Waitaki (the Waitaki River) which ended at Aoraki.

Its title was chosen by Paemanu member and artist Ross Hemera, as “Kārakaraka speaks to an echo or call across the Waitaki Valley, as these works have returned home, after a journey to Meanjin Brisbane and Ōtepoti Dunedin, back to where it all began — te rohe o Waitaki”.

The artworks were deinstalled and packaged earlier this week, ready for their journey back to Dunedin Public Art Gallery, where they are housed on behalf of Paemanu.