The question people should ask is not “Why does Hamilton need an art and design week?” but “Why did it take Hamilton so long to get one?”
That’s the word from Chao Han, one of the curators of the inaugural Hamilton Art and Design Week - a 10-day series of events that will enliven some parts of the central city from September 25 to October 4.
These will include exhibitions, floor talks and seminars, and the opportunity to witness art in the process of being created. The event has the over-arching theme “City of Wonder” - or COW, for short.
Han is the co-founder of Alexandra St business Hanrad Gallery and a staunch advocate for Hamilton’s artistic community - and says he could see great potential for a series of events that put them and the work they do in the spotlight.
A graduate of Auckland University’s School of Art, Han had spent several years in China running a successful business specialising in interiors and commercial art.
During his time in that country he had also worked as a curator for Beijing Design Week, which is where he hit upon the idea of doing something similar in his new home city.
“It is a big part of the calendar in Beijing, and I could see there is enormous potential to do something similar here.”
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