Kōwhai Residency

Jenna Eriksen

Outdoor  exhibition
Te Komititanga Square - Britomart Train Station

24 May - 12 June 2024

Artist talk with Jenna Eriksen, Thurs 30 May - 2pm at Te Komititanga Square, opp Britomart Station

Part of the Auckland Festival of Photography

Auckland Festival of Photography presents an exclusive showcase by New Zealand artist, Jenna Eriksen as part of the 2024 Festival theme Believe [whakapono].

During her residency in Tokyo, Japan in late 2023, Jenna was drawn to the national flower of Japan, the Chrysanthemum. Following a series of serendipitous encounters and visits to Yushima Tenmangū shrine, she set about capturing the spirits that live in each bloom, with brilliant colours, and post production techniques to create these strong, bold flowers, with powerful meaning and spiritual connection.

Jenna shared this "Throughout the residency, I have discovered the delight of Kiku Matsuri, a dedicated autumn festival to the Chrysanthemum flower, Japan's national flower. My imagination started to spark seeing all these incredible live species and the awe-inspiring scale of thousands of blooms."

The meaning behind this series of works by New Zealand Artist Jenna Eriksen comes together to form a vision of a Kami - god like deity offering towards the appreciation of the chrysanthemum flower.

Presentation on outdoor lightboxes, thanks to Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.