Auckland Museum brings exhibition of South Auckland music to MIT Manukau

Pauly Fuemana. Photographer Deborah Smith. Courtesy of Simon Grigg.

The exhibition shares the rich stories and dynamic music culture unique to South Auckland, fed by street culture, church choirs, R&B clubs and hip-hop. 

Stories of artists such as Savage, OMC and Ardijah are shared through items from the personal collections of these artists, including hand-written lyrics, photo albums, costumes, awards, equipment, and memorabilia. 

Championing the artists and scenes that represent Southside pride, emerging talent is featured alongside early trailblazers, including Urban Pacifika Records, the Fuemana family and Dawn Raid Entertainment. 

A specially commissioned film by Malosi Pictures features South Auckland artists and scene-makers sharing their influences and motivations of South Auckland in their music. 

Visitors can add past, present and future stars to our shared Great Southside playlist on Spotify and be in to win prizes, including tickets to attend the Pacific Music Awards. 

"Volume South will be an important milestone for the story of South Auckland music. Together we will celebrate many of the people involved in creating the music we love and learn more about the journey behind the music,” says Volume South Advisory Board member Petrina Togi-Sa'ena, MNZM. 

“This is a proud moment for South Auckland to have the history of their music honoured in this way," she says.

The exhibition builds on the success of Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa which saw over 200,000 visitors to Auckland Museum. 

Auckland Museum Director Dr. David Gaimster says the exhibition is the Museum’s second at Manukau Institute of Technology and speaks to the Museum’s goal to reach more Aucklanders in their communities. 

"Our ongoing partnership with MIT enables us to share the stories of South Auckland in the heart of Manukau. This exhibition highlights the successes of local artists and scene-makers instrumental in putting South Auckland music on the map. With this exhibition, and our collections and study centre now operating out of Ōtāhuhu, we are in South Auckland to stay,” he says.

Dr. Stuart Middleton, Specialist Advisor to the CE at MIT, says the partnership is significant as both institutions share a common goal of connecting with the community in new and relevant ways. 

“Volume South recognises the cultural value of contemporary music, street art and dance to the city as a whole while underlining the further growth of the Manukau City precinct as an arts destination,” he says. “MIT is looking forward to having a bit of fun opening the show and making it a highlight of campus life.” 

The exhibition is a partnership with the NZ Music Hall of Fame Trust (APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ) and has been created with the guidance of an advisory panel of musicians and creatives from South Auckland. 

Follow us on social media with #volumesouth to stay up to date with our events programme for 2018, including working with high school students and Ōtara Music Arts Centre to nurture the next generation of musicians from South Auckland. 

Volume South

Friday 2nd February – Friday 31st August 2018, 9am-6pm, Free.

MIT Manukau, Corner of Manukau Station Road and Davies Avenue, Manukau.