Marie Potter: Come, Sit and Listen

Part of Art Week Auckland and the Auckland Heritage Festival
Vernacular Lounge

Come Sit and Listen is a recorded sound exhibition that embraces conversations by three North Shore women who revisit the lives and the social and cultural significance of their ancestors dating from 1828 to the 21st century.

These personal conversations are especially from a female perspective and discuss experiences, traditions, rituals and values that have been passed down through four generations, highlighting the importance of keeping alive our past including the significance and influence of the early women settlers. The 3 women recognise how traditions are still valued today by not only themselves but their children and grandchildren. Conversations include the sea voyage to a new land, first catholic communion at the Hokianga in 1838 at the home of Mary and Thomas Poynton, adapting to a new life in New Zealand in the 1800’s as a widow with 6 children, arriving here after surviving the First World War and The Somme, to adapting to a new culture and life as a farmer, and much more.

Marie’s recorded sound installation in a ‘lounge’ set up represents the evolving nature of a distinctive New Zealand vernacular through the artefacts exhibited.