Sourced from Marlborough collections, Art Marlborough - Toi Wairau runs for six weeks at Marlborough's public art gallery in the centre of Blenheim, and is a unique opportunity for locals and visitors to learn the stories of Marlborough's people, places and events through a wide range of art.

Art featured includes stunning photography by pre-eminent New Zealand wine photographer and acclaimed Marlborough winemaker, Kevin Judd, from his famous series which culminated in the ground breaking 1999 publication The Colour of Wine: Photographs from the Vineyards of Marlborough. Historical oil paintings such as Frank Huddleston's1884 oil of Picton Harbour will be presented alongside contemporary landscapes by Marlborough's renowned abstract painter J S Parker and Hunter's Wines' artist-in-residence, popular impressionist artist Clarry Neame. Treasures such as sculpture by Iosefa Leo and ceramics by Fran Maguire will also be shown.

Marlborough iwi, Rangitane o Wairau, are partners in this project and are contributing works from their fabulous collection. Traditional Maori art by Blenheim-based, Ngati Maniapoto master carver, Reg Thompsett will be a highlight. Reg was responsible for carving the meeting house (whare nui), Te Aroha o Te Waipounamu, at Omaka Marae in Blenheim. His works tell the stories of the first people in the Wairau (Marlborough region) hundreds of years ago. A special contemporary abstract painting from the Millennium Art Gallery's Maori art collection will speak about light over a period of time. Ngati Raukawa and Rangitane artist, Linda Waimarie King's "Intersections of Time" (2005) represents the ancient past through to the present, in and around the Wairau.

Art Marlborough - Toi Wairau is a free exhibition and whether you're a local or a visitor to the region, is an unrivalled chance to immerse yourself in ugh's art history. Additional activities will be held in association with the exhibition.

Part of the REAL New Zealand Festival www.realnzfestival.com