OPERATION GRAPPLE
Operation Grapple - We Were There is a powerful photography exhibition by Denise which tells the story of Operation Grapple through the portraits of 19 NZ nuclear test veterans and their stories. Operation Grapple which was a nuclear testing program in the Pacific in 1957-58, which RNZ Navy personnel took part in. A largely unknown chapter in NZ history, Operation Grapple has left a sad and ongoing legacy for those that took part, their offspring and future generations to come.
Denise undertook this personal project to tell this story and to bring honour and recognition to all those that took part. Over a period of 18 months, Denise travelled NZ between commercial work commitments to photograph and interview the nuclear test veterans. By photographing the veterans in their own homes Denise humanised this story, and allowed people to see these men, who they are, and where they are over 60 years later. Highly praised in 2020 as a ‘must see’ exhibition of Artweek Auckland and amongst Verve Magazine’s top ten exhibitions to visit, the exhibition has been warmly embraced wherever it shows. To date the exhibition has had a hugely successful run at the following NZ cultural and heritage institutions:
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum - 17 September 2020 - 17 January 2021
Tuku 21 Heritage Month, Nelson - 1st April - 30 April 2021
Te Manawa Museum Art Gallery - 1 May - 15 August 2021
Whirinaki Whare Taonga - 19 February 2022 - 1 May 2022
Canterbury Museum - 13 May 2022 - 16 October 2022
MTG Hawkes Bay - 28 October 2022 - 16 February 2023
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Waikato University - 6 November 2023 to 23 February 2024
New Zealand Parliament - 10 April 2024 - 1 July 2024
Operation Grapple - We Were There will be exhibited at further New Zealand venues in 2024 following it’s exhibition run at parliament.
