In 2025 - 2026 we celebrated 50 years of women's creative work.
CELEBRATE WITH US
IN 2025-2026
New publications for the
Te Puna Waiwhetū
Christchurch Art Gallery site
SPIRAL 8: SETTING THE [WORK] TABLE
Spiral 8: Setting the [work] table (kōanga spring 2025) celebrates beloved Spiral women who are no longer with us:
Jacquie (J.C.) Sturm
Renée
Arapera Blank
Gladys Gurney (Saj)
Frances Cherry
Marilynn Webb
Heather McPherson
Keri Kaa
Rosemary Johnson
Pauline Neale
Miriama Evans
Joanna Margaret Paul
Juanita Ketchel
Irihapeti Ramsden
Keri Hulme
Sharon Alston
Hilary Baxter
Allie Eagle
Lynne Ciochetto.
Some are very well known, others are almost forgotten, but we cherish them all and will celebrate them in their own words wherever possible.
The title comes from one of Renée’s plays, Setting the Table, where a character says
“Look we’re setting the table. Right? All those women we know about and the hundreds we don’t. Well. They got the ingredients ready and cooked the dinner. And now we’ve got as far as setting the table. Oh I know it seems as though we’ll never sit down to the dinner-party. Well maybe we won’t. But we’ll get the table ready. Us and all the ones we don’t know about.”
The selections, taken in collaboration with whānau and families, highlight both how these women worked to ‘set the table’ for those who came after them; and the love and support they gave to their peers.
Spiral 8: Setting the [work] table
(kōanga spring 2025)
DOCUMENTING AND CELEBRATING OUR COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENTS OVER 50 YEARS
Our Spiral Collectives Projects 19750-2025 Catalogue documents and celebrates Spiral’s work and workers. Drawn from our archives at the Alexander Turnbull Library and some memories. Initiated and researched for Spiral by Fran McGowan. Richly illustrated.
Spiral Collectives Projects 1975–2025: Some Stories is an anthology of essays and interviews, drawing on material from our extended research project. Many illustrations.
Spiral Collectives Projects 1975–2025: Some Stories (kōanga spring 2025)
EVENTS &
EXHIBITIONS
We’re excited by two celebratory shows. Look out for them & for their events!
SPIRAL AT CHRISTCHURCH ART GALLERY TE PUNA O WAIWHETŪ
23 August to 17 December 2025
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū will present an exhibition of Spiral publications and ephemera.
Watch out for a special event or two!
L-R Writer Jean Watson (1933–2014) and Women’s Gallery co-ordinator & artist Sharon Alston (1948–1995) at a gallery event c1982-83. Photograph: probably gallery co-ordinator & artist Barb McDonald (1948–1991).
SPIRAL AT THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM
October-December 2025
To help us celebrate the women from Spiral 8, Charlotte Museum Te Whare Takatapui-Wahine o Aotearoa will host an exhibition and events. Co-ordinated for Spiral by art historian Joanna Osborne.
Women's Gallery party poster c1981. Design Sharon Alston.