Ken’s photos a reminder of the past

An exhibition of selected photos by the late Ken Walters dating from 32 years ago, opened with a preview at the Beachcomber Contemporary Art (BCA) gallery on Monday evening.
A large crowd attended and the viewing was preceded by three speakers.
For the BCA Ben Bergman spoke about his association with Ken who arrived in Rarotonga to be the Pharmacist at CITC for 12 years before starting Ken Wall Gallery. He said it was a pleasure to be part of the show as Ken played an important role for many years.
Lorna Walters then spoke about what she called a personal retrospective of her husband Ken’s work. She thanked the sponsors, BCA-Ben and his team, Cook Island Printing, Pacific Resort, Air NZ and CITC Liquor. She also thanked Nick Henry and Julie of the Tumunu. She said planning for this show began two years ago and she thanked Ken’s son Craig, Joan Rolls, Jean Mason and Shawn Larsen for helping. Lorna said she first met Ken in 1980. He was always interested in photography but had many interests. He was involved with the Miss Cook Islands pageant, he was President of Rotary, played golf and was once Secretary and President of the Golf Club. He was a big supporter of business house golf.
Shawn Larsen, the show’s curator then spoke. She said they decided on 50 subject matters then set about seeking the best 50 photos that represented each those subjects starting with a base of 10,000 photos. All the images are untouched.
All 50 images are in colour and are prints which are direct scans from the original negatives and prints. The images date from when Ken arrived in the Cook Islands, 1978 to the mid 90s. They represent some of his best works. On the far right wall is a selection of his photos which became well known postcards. In addition to the prints there is a TV screen to show 350 more images in a 22 minute loop. These are images of annual events such as float parades, Constitution parades and fashion show from 1980 to 1989.
Larsen a Canadian and the partner of Cook Islander Numa Mckenzie. Both returned to Rarotonga 8 months ago. She graduated in 2006 in Vancouver majoring in Sculpture and photography. Larsen first visited Rarotonga last year and this is the first show she has curated.
Also here for the show from Melbourne, Australia is Ken’s son Craig Walters and his family, his partner Sally Mendes and son Clancy.
Craig, an engineer by profession, said in Melbourne they began the process of selection by sifting through 10,000 images and got this down to 1,000 then finally down to 350.
Among those who attended were Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid, artists Croc, Tim Buchanan, Eruera Nia and Judith Kunzle. Ru and the Boys provided background music.
This show is well worth seeing because you may see yourself in one of the photos, as a young person.
Lorna said the images are for sale and the proceeds will be donated to the Cook Islands Library and Museum.

By Charles Pitt

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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