Into Ocean & Ice: Inspiring Explorers™ Share Antarctic Legacy
Four emerging artists from the visual arts outreach team of the Trust’s 2023 Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ to South Georgia are sharing their transformative experiences through a compelling new exhibition at the New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa in Auckland.
The exhibition, which opened on 29 November, showcases the artistic interpretations of Inspiring Explorers Tegan Allpress (Rongowhakaata), Peregrin Hyde (Ngāti Maniapoto), Rose Lasham, and Charlie Thomas. Their work forms part of a dual exhibition connecting contemporary Antarctic experiences with Sir Ernest Shackleton and the ‘heroic era’ of exploration.
The artists were among 22 young New Zealanders who journeyed to South Georgia to honour the centenary of Shackleton’s final expedition, the Quest (1921–22). This journey marked the end of the ‘heroic era’ of Antarctic exploration and deepened the connection between the island and Shackleton’s legacy.
Through photography, paintings, sculpture, and video, the Inspiring Explorers™ capture both the grandeur and vulnerability of this remote region. Their work reflects a year of creative development, processing their experiences of South Georgia’s incredible landscape, wildlife, and history of exploration.
“What started as wild ideas in mid-2023 has transformed into something tangible,” says Charlie Thomas, whose watercolour works reflect his passion for wildlife conservation. “Having our art on the walls of the Maritime Museum, a place I’ve visited for years, feels surreal. The exhibition gives us a platform to share our experiences with thousands of people, inviting them to connect with South Georgia through our work.”
“This exhibition is a beautiful resolution to what has been a two-year journey,” says Tegan Allpress, a film photographer specialising in the concept of Tūrangawaewae (“a place to stand”). “From the initial application through to the expedition itself, the South Georgia expedition has changed the fabric of my being. Being able to share our experiences with people who may never visit these remote places and knowing we’re doing justice to the environment we encountered, makes me feel proud and privileged.”
Peregrin Hyde’s innovative microphotography reveals hidden details of South Georgia’s natural environment, while Rose Lasham’s paintings and ceramic sculptures offer unique perspectives on environmental stewardship and humanity’s relationship with these remote environments.
The exhibition’s contemporary perspectives are complemented by Italian artist Paola Folicaldi Suh’s paintings, which reimagine Shackleton’s dramatic journey aboard the Endurance. These works are displayed alongside reproductions of Frank Hurley’s original photographs from the voyage and the meteorological logbook from the Aurora that documents the vessel’s role in Shackleton’s 1914–1917 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
The opening weekend featured special events including a public celebration where visitors could meet the artists and hear about their experiences firsthand. The Inspiring Explorers™ also shared their journey in public talks and led educational workshops, including a unique microphotography session for children conducted by Peregrin Hyde.
Running until 31 August 2025, Into Ocean & Ice represents a significant achievement for the Trust’s Inspiring Explorers™ programme, demonstrating how modern expeditions continue to inspire new generations to engage with Antarctic heritage and the spirit of exploration. Admission to the exhibition is free with museum entry.
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