Big sea, Small waves

The ocean connects us all. Our communities can be seen as waves, pushed by ‘storms’ far away to migrate as swells, and land on the shores of Aotearoa. Guy Howard-Smith's father was born in India and is Anglo-Indian and his family came to Ponsonby in the late 1940’s for new opportunities.  

At the end of 2023 Howard-Smith travelled to Lucknow and Kolkata to take up a residency with the All-India Anglo-Indian Association. Whilst there, a chance encounter with the iconic Amar Chitra Katha historic comic series inspired Howard-Smith to replicate the spirit of one of these comics, focusing on the Eurasian community in India. 

A rich food history, unique patois, and semi mythical origin stories of European ancestors are commonalities many Anglo-Indian families share. This exhibition aims to build on, and celebrate Anglo-Indian traditions, touching on ideas of nationhood and belonging which reach beyond the community. 

Essay gifted by Balamohan Shingade - Introduction to Big sea, Small Waves

Guy Howard-Smith (b. 1980, Titirangi) holds a BFA (2003) from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland. Based in Ōtepoti since 2009, Howard-Smith has maintained a regular studio and mural practice for over a decade, primarily working in painting and drawing. While Howard-Smith's paintings and drawings have been exhibited at Pah Homestead, Blue Oyster off site programme and St Paul St Gallery, his mural collaborations can be found in a number of urban sites around Dunedin and Auckland. 

Throughout his practice, Howard-Smith has explored what it means to be Anglo-Indian, and a part of a diasporic community with a complex colonial history. 
Howard-Smith has recently been invited to act as a liaison and mentor on behalf of the Dunedin City Council and the South Dunedin Street Art Trail Group in the development of several new mural works across the city by young and emerging artists. 

Histories on Paper Kids Workshop
With Guy Howard-Smith 
Saturday 15 February 10.30am 
Free, bookings required
Suitable for ages 7-12 years