The Hindu Heritage Centre in Rotorua hosted an International Coffee Painting Exhibition by renowned artist Mr. Uday Korde from Gujarat, India, from October 18 to October 20, 2024. Sponsored by the Gujarat State Lalit Kala Academy, the exhibition was officially opened by Dr Margriet Theron ONZM, President of the Rotorua Multicultural Council.

The opening reception, held at 6:00 pm, drew members of Rotorua’s arts community for an evening of art, culture, and engaging conversation with Mr. Korde. Attendees had the unique opportunity to meet the artist in person and gain insights into his creative process and the rich tradition of coffee painting.

This event marked Mr. Korde’s first international exhibition, despite his extensive experience in India, where he has led numerous workshops and exhibitions. Her Worship Tania Tapsell, Mayor of Rotorua, extended a special invitation to Mr. Korde to visit her office to recognise his remarkable work. Although official commitments prevented her from attending the opening, Mayor Tapsell was presented with a custom coffee painting of herself.

“Thank you for choosing Rotorua as the destination for your first international exhibition. I’m truly impressed by the intricate detail and craftsmanship in your work, especially in the portrait you’ve created for me,” said Mayor Tapsell.

“This has been a great opportunity to share this unique art, and I hope you will continue to share it for others in New Zealand, and the world to enjoy,” she added.

Reflecting on his experience in New Zealand, Mr. Korde expressed his enthusiasm for the exhibition’s success. “New Zealand is a breathtakingly beautiful country, and Rotorua, with its rich Māori heritage, has been the perfect setting for my first international showcase. I’m deeply honoured to have exhibited here. I thank Hindu Heritage Centre Rotorua for providing the venue and promoting the exhibition,” said Uday Korde.

Buoyed by the positive reception, Mr. Korde revealed plans to expand his exhibition across New Zealand. “After the success in Rotorua, I’m considering taking my work to other major cities like Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington,” he added.

With over 300 coffee paintings to his credit, including portraits of prominent figures such as the President and Prime Minister of India, Mr. Korde has earned widespread acclaim for his unique artistic style.

Originally, the exhibition was to feature paintings brought from India. However, at the suggestion of Dr Guna Magesan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, Mr. Korde created new works featuring well-known New Zealand personalities and landmarks to engage the local audience. During his time in New Zealand, Mr. Korde painted portraits of Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Howard Morrison, the late Māori King Te Arikinui, Mayor Tania Tapsell, and MP Hon. Todd McClay. He also captured iconic locations such as Auckland’s Sky Tower, Rotorua Museum, and Wellington’s Beehive. These local artworks were highly praised by visitors. A reporter from Radio New Zealand interviewed Mr. Korde while he was creating a portrait of the late Māori King, using a photo taken during the King’s inauguration of the second New Zealand Hindu Conference in Auckland.

By popular demand, the artist will showcase a selection of coffee paintings at the 2nd New Zealand Hindu Elders Conference, held at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Rotorua on Saturday, 26 October 2024. The conference will run from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The Hindu Heritage Centre has increasingly become a vibrant hub for the local community, hosting a wide range of cultural activities. Regular classes in Hindi, Hindu scriptures, yoga, and meditation are already well-established, while unique events like this international exhibition have further enhanced the Centre’s cultural offerings.

“We’re thrilled to see the positive response to Mr. Korde’s exhibition,” said Dr Guna Magesan. “In the near future, we’ll be introducing Mehndi and Rangoli classes, adding even more diversity to the programmes we offer here at the Hindu Heritage Centre.”

“We look forward to hosting many more events that will enrich our community’s understanding and appreciation of diverse artistic and cultural expressions,” Dr Magesan added.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Guna Magesan

President

Hindu Council of New Zealand Inc

Phone: 021 0345621

Email: hindu.nz@gmail.com