An exhibition of Heather Straka’s latest photographic series, Age of Discovery, is taking over Sudima Auckland City this November.
The immersive exhibition combines the artist’s flair for drama with the sumptuousness of a luxury hotel stay, with the event encompassing a site-specific exhibition, Straka’s NFT artworks presented by Glorious Digital, interior room activation by the artist and limited edition merchandise.
Audiences will be drawn irresistibly into a world of glamour and intrigue. Featuring an exclusive display of Heather Straka’s Age of Discovery photography series, Sudima Auckland City will become a little more decadent and a little more mysterious, inhabited by a diverse cast of enigmatic characters.
“I have always been drawn to those encounters one has in the communal areas of a hotel, on a point between departure and destination,” says Straka.
“As an artist these are the inspiration for much of my work. In these spaces we are brought together, out of our usual places to this transient one, where we cohabit if only for a fleeting moment. A hotel is a place of endless stories: the corridors and the rooms they connect to, all with their own intimate histories.”
Straka’s images give the striking impression of a richly costumed play or a series of elaborate, eerie film stills. Age of Discovery celebrates identity and ambiguity, while exploring themes of social concern and political subtext. Each character has a detailed backstory to guess at, but their secrets remain just out of reach.
“Age of Discovery at Sudima Auckland City is going to be an unmissable event this November,” says Deborah McCormick, Executive Director of SCAPE Public Art.
“Heather Straka’s work creates a world you want to step into and explore, and we’re thrilled to be bringing that opportunity to Auckland.”
“The immersive experience of Straka’s exhibition is truly unique,” says Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala, CEO of Sudima Hotels. “Her work’s surreal nature and artistic experience exports you into another realm. We’re very much looking forward to hosting the exhibition and seeing people’s responses.”
Be a special guest at Sudima Auckland City for Age of Discovery, which will be staying in-house from 16-20 November; you can check out any time you like, but you may not want to leave.
