Migratory Patterns Opens at CoCA – A Poignant Exploration of Home, Identity, and Belonging
Christchurch, New Zealand, February 1, 2025 — The Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA) is proud to announce the opening of its inaugural exhibition of 2025, Migratory Patterns, curated by Hayley Walmsley, featuring work by artists Jonny Waters, Jesse-James Pickery, Nikita Rewha, Aidan Geraghty, Aroha Novak, Heramaahina Eketone, Moewai Marsh, Isaiah Okeroa, David Garcia, and Jon Jeet Facebook.
Spanning from February 1 through March 16, 2025, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how migration—whether driven by education, work, or personal journey—shapes our evolving sense of home. It celebrates the dynamic tension of migration: the exhilaration of discovery counterpoised with the wistfulness of loss and longing for what is left behind.
Hayley Walmsley, the curator, explains:
“Within our lives we all seek to define and redefine our concepts around home and identity… No matter if we move for education or work, we are constantly in a migratory pattern—moving simultaneously closer and further away from what used to define us to what now does.”
The opening event, held on 31 January 2025, drew art lovers and cultural contributors to CoCA for a rich celebration of the exhibition’s themes and participating artists.
What to Expect:
Dates: February 1 – March 16, 2025
Opening Celebration: January 31, 2025, 5:30 pm
Curated by: Hayley Walmsley with Jonny Waters
Featuring Artists: Jesse‑James Pickery, Nikita Rewha, Aidan Geraghty, Aroha Novak, Heramaahina Eketone, Moewai Marsh, Isaiah Okeroa, David Garcia, Jon Jeet
Location: CoCA – Centre of Contemporary Art, Christchurch
Themes: Migration, identity, the shifting notion of “home,” connection and displacement
MEDIA CONTACT
CoCA – Centre of Contemporary Art
66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Email: info@coca.org.nz
Phone: (03) 366 7261 Facebook+3CoCA+3CoCA+3Facebook
About CoCA
CoCA is Christchurch’s vibrant hub for contemporary visual culture. Committed to presenting bold, thought-provoking exhibitions, CoCA continues to foster dialogue around issues that shape our collective identity and social experience.