Artist talk with Darcell Apelu and Heidi Brickell

Join Kairauhī Curator Robbie Handcock in conversation with exhibiting artists Darcell Apelu and Heidi Brickell whose practices both contend with cultural legacies and wisdoms. Join us to gain insight into Darcell and Heidi’s practices and their works on display in the exhibition The tongue to them.

Booking is encouraged but not essential.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This event is free.

This event is held in the gallery at Artspace Aotearoa.

This location is accessible.

This will be a moving conversation, seating can be requested.Light refreshments will be available.

BIOGRAPHIES

Darcell Apelu of Niue, Pākehā and Te Atiawa is an artist based in Tauranga Moana. Her practice investigates social and cultural ideologies within Aotearoa with reference to themes of legacy and embedded ancestry. In 2019, Apelu was the inaugural recipient of the Te Tuhi/Yorkshire Sculpture Park Residency in the UK and in 2017 the recipient of the BC Collective Lafaiki residency in Niue. Notable exhibitions include Carry Me With You (2024–Current), SCAPE, Christchurch (2023–2024) Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki; The Death of Prosperity (2020–2022), Te Tuhi and Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga; and Ocean Memories (2021), at the Kunsthalle Faust, Germany. 

Heidi Brickell is of Te Hika o Pāpāuma, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tara, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apakura, Airihi, Kotirana, Ingarihi, Tiamana and based in Ōtaki. Brickell has a background in Kura Kaupapa Māori education and te reo Māori revitalisation. Her practice embraces experimental materials, processes and forms as means to dovetail and mātauranga tuku iho as a fluidly evolving continuum. Recent solo exhibitions include Wā We Can’t Afford (2025) Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery; A Koru is a Trajectory (2024), Enjoy Contemporary Art Space, Te Whānganui-a-Tara Wellington; and PĀKANGA FOR THE LOSTGIRL (2022), Te Wai Ngutu Kākā Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, The Physics Room, Ōtautahi Christchurch and The Engine Room Te Whānganui-a-Tara Wellington. Brickell was also included in Aotearoa Contemporary (2024) Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery and Springtime is Heartbreak (2023), Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery.