Māori artists and designers exhibit in a new Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival feature on Auckland Anniversary Weekend
Forty-one Māori artists and designers will exhibit their work in a new Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival feature on Auckland Anniversary Weekend, at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre and Viaduct Basin.
Level two of the festival is dedicated to contemporary Maori creative arts, showcasing everything from sculpture, carving and weaving, to fashion design, multi-media and digital arts.
The zone will be divided into three.
Auckland Art Gallery is presenting works by Charlotte Graham and Emily Karaka, a digital exhibition, and Charlotte Graham doing talks and free printmaking workshops.
Next door, Auckland Council’s Activate Auckland team has curated the Toi Māori group exhibition of contemporary artists working in a range of different media, artist korero sessions, poi-making workshops, artist demonstrations, story-telling, and acoustic musical performances.
The third zone will feature the work of Māori digital content companies, including the new Pipi Mā web cartoon series, and digital apps and games which help players learn basic te reo or Māori history.
The contemporary arts focus is a new element of the three-year-old festival, which is driven by Mana Whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau in partnership with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) on behalf of Auckland Council.
ATEED General Manager Destination Steve Armitage says the wider festival team were keen to support the Māori creative sector.
“It’s been great for our festival production team to work with the Mana Whenua Steering Group, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Council’s Activate Auckland team and artists across a wide range of disciplines to present festival-goers with a varied, exciting and interactive showcase of Māori creative arts.”
“There are so many talented Māori artists who don’t get the exposure their work deserves. This gives both established and emerging artists a platform to share their work with a wider audience. We’re also pleased to have a mix of artists on site over the weekend.
“Festival goers can hear the artists talk about their work in the artists’ korero, and we also hope this is an opportunity for the artists to network and collaborate with each other, particularly a chance for the younger artists to connect with the more experienced ones.”
Festival Mana Whenua Steering Group Chair Hau Rawiri says the festival’s creative programme is another way the region’s Mana Whenua can provide the platform for the people of Tāmaki Makaurau to learn about and understand each other.
“Creative endeavours – art, food, music, apparel and adornment – are so central to our lives and our cultures, and to all cultures. Creating and enjoying these things are something most cultures have in common, and across our cultures younger artists are influenced by the artisans, artists and traditions that came before them.”
Painters
- Natasha Keating
- Te Marunui Hotene
- Tame Iti
- Hemi Kiwikiwi
- Jimmy Kouratoras
- Emily Karaka
- Selwyn Vercoe
- Regan Balzer
- Enuake Sirikige
- Andy Turner (and sculpture)
- Charlotte Graham (and installation)
Oil pastels
- Raukura Turei
Sculpture/Carving
- Nigel Scanlon
- Natasha Smyser
- Lawrence Makoare
- Natanahira Pora
- Bob Tekahiwi How
- Tom Mokoare
- Tai Mueli
- Karam Mueli
- William Theodore
Printmaking
- Numangatini Mackenzie
Fashion designers
- Rosanna Raymond (and taonga)
- Jeanine Clarkin
- Shona Tawhiao
- Maehe Ranginui (and furniture)
- Adrienne Whitewood
- Pia Boutique
- Kharl Wirepa
- Dmonic Intent
Taonga
- Ernesto Ovalle
- Ngahina Hohaia
Weaving
- Ruth Woodbury
- Beronia Scott
- Tanya White
- Te Atiwei Ririnui
Glass
- Fred Harrison
- Mei Hill
Multimedia
- Natalie Couch (and printmaking)
- Bethany Edmonds
- Tracey Tawhiao