Welcome to the Vango Museum. I am Zoe Bacher, Director of Curation.

Through the past two years we have been exploring the early lives of some of the 20th century

most influential artists. Our current exhibition shows the childhood paintings, sketches and

diaries of Claudia Atiano. As part of this ongoing series we have often had the artist

featured comment on their juvenile work but in the case of Atiano that is not possible.

Atiano has not been seen now for some years and while we may never know what happened

to her at this distance of time it seems unlikely that she is still living. The Vango Museum,

along with the wider artistic community, deeply mourns the loss of such an impactful and important

voice. As we can't get comment from the artist herself we have approached her contemporary

and close personal friend Roy Matamanga-Kahia to provide insights to the childhood work of Claudia Atiano.

The exhibit is in the ground floor of the exhibition wing. Follow the numbered signs and

press play whenever you see an audio guide placard and pause after each tone you hear.

We hope you enjoy your visit to the Vango Museum.

It is always interesting to contemplate the art of a child who was destined to become truly vital.

Surely there are key developmental differences between the great artist and the ordinary.

Whether it be their drawing stick figures with arms coming out of their torso or having the

imagination to give their stick figures a pet elephant instead of a dog, however it's debatable how

much we can really learn from this. We must always be aware that no amount of developmentally

advanced childhood scribbles can truly take the place of the years of hard work and dedication it

takes to develop true skill and a genuine artistic voice.

Brilliant is not innate nor is it taught brilliance is wrote. It is tedium it is practice.

You must enjoy what you do or at least tolerate it in order to become great.

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