For those who haven't yet caught the JK Russ fantasy collage exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery, there are still a few days left to absorb this stunning large-scale installation in the entry atrium gallery.

JK Russ's ‘Hard Sell Future' exhibition which ends tomorrow Sunday, February 7, reflects the artist's feeling in 2019 that we were heading towards a global apocalypse with growing environmental and human crises.

'And of course since then we've experienced the devastating Australian bushfires and a global pandemic,” says Russ. 'So this work is a bit of grim comment on what I see as our current state of affairs globally.

'However, I can also see hope through the indigenous cultures leading the way in protecting our natural environment, and the Black Lives Matter global protest movement. Maybe this has all led to a tipping point when populations undertake a cultural shift in thinking and behaviour.”

Working predominantly with the medium of collage, JK Russ creates fantasy environments where hybrid humans merge with plants, birds, and other creatures.

Tauranga Art Gallery exhibit manager Duane Moyle with artwork by Rob McCleod. Photo: John Borren.

The Tauranga Moana Collection is on display until February 21, and provides an opportunity to view a selection of the treasures from the art collections of Tauranga Art Gallery and Tauranga City Council's Civic Art Collection. Many of these works have been generously gifted by significant donors, or by some of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading contemporary artists for future generations to enjoy.

This exhibition represents a snapshot of life in Tauranga Moana, reflecting on our region, past and present, culture and people.

A live floor talk is a fascinating way to learn more about artist and ask questions in return. Tauranga Art Gallery's resident art historians Ellie Smith and Ben Abdale-Weir will be conducting a floor talk about artist Tony Fomison on Monday, February 15, at 1.30pm. Tony's art work is on show until February 21, and the free talk provides an opportunity to take a deeper look into a particularly troubled period in Tony's life, following his return from Europe when he was broke, grappling with addiction and cynical about society.

Other exhibitions currently on display in the gallery include Matthew Couper: Isolation Paintings, Julie Morison: Head[case], and John Roy: Fool's Gold.

Tauranga Art Gallery exhibit manager Duane Moyle with ‘Poutama' by artist Te Maranui Hotere. Photo: John Borren