Film Screening: Caravaggio (1986)

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi is proud to present a screening of Caravaggio, 1986,
(94mins). This event is one of three screenings of Derek Jarman’s feature length films, including Sebastiane and The Garden selected and introduced by key members of Aotearoa’s art community who hold Jarman close.

This screening will be held at City Gallery Wellington’s Adam Auditorium in Te Ngākau Civic Square. Doors to the foyer will open from 6.30pm, with a cash bar and refreshments on arrival. Doors to the auditorium will open at 6.45pm and the screening will commence at 7.00pm with pre-recorded introduction by curator and gallerist Michael Lett.

Caravaggio

          -    Michael Lett

Films about artists often miss the mark, but Jarman's Caravaggio is not one of those flops. In fact, it’s possibly one of the best films ever made about a Renaissance queer painter.

Jarman's super-stylized and unconventional take on the artist dives deep into his relationships—especially with his male lovers—and explores the fallout of trying to murder one of his best patrons.

Much has been said about the film's striking visual style, which beautifully mirrors Caravaggio's own use of light and shadow. It skilfully blends historical drama with modern sensibilities. Jarman consistently challenges traditional narratives, and in Caravaggio, he fearlessly tackles themes of sexuality, identity, and the very nature of art itself.

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Michael Lett

Michael Lett is New Zealand curator, gallerist and contemporary art dealer. In 2003, he founded Michael Lett, a contemporary art gallery in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland which represents international and locally based artists at the forefront of contemporary practice. Over the last decade the gallery has expanded its roster of represented artists and undertaken two moves to offer new possibilities for the presentation of artists’ work. Today the gallery is co-owned and directed with Andrew Thomas, who joined the gallery in 2010. Artists represented by Michael Lett regularly participate in local and international museum exhibitions and biennials, and their work is held in major public and private collections in New Zealand and across the globe.

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Derek Jarman: Delphinium Days is presented in partnership with The Dowse Art Museum. It has been co-developed by Gus Fisher Gallery and City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi. It is co-curated by Lisa Beauchamp, Curator of Contemporary Art at Gus Fisher Gallery, Aaron Lister, Senior Curator (Toi) at City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi, and Michael Lett.   

This exhibition was made possible with the lead support of Tony Kerridge and Micheal Do, with additional support of the City Gallery Wellington Foundation, the Delphinium Days Exhibition Circle, and those who wish to remain anonymous. The Wellington Public Programme is brought to you by The British Council New Zealand and the Pacific. With thanks to Howard Sooley, Gordon Rainsford, Denis Doran, the Keith Collins Will Trust and Amanda Wilkinson, London. Films courtesy of LUMA Foundation and James MacKay.