Art Gallery celebrates Mâori culture

Art Gallery celebrates Mâori culture

Storytelling, musical performances, panel discussions, readings by Maori writers, weaving demonstrations, waka paddling drills and contemporary Ta Moko will be among the events at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu to entertain and educate during theToi Māori: The Eternal Thread exhibition.

A comprehensive programme of more than 30 events has been organised during the 14 weeks the exhibition is on display at the Gallery.

Christchurch Art Gallery is hosting the homecoming ofToi Māori: The Eternal Thread, the exhibition of Maori weaving which for the last 18 months has been touring the west coast of the United States, drawing in an audience of more than 90,000.

At the Christchurch Art Gallery from 16 February to 27 May,Toi Māori: The Eternal Thread celebrates the changing art of Maori weaving from the finest

traditional Maori kakahu (cloaks) and kete (finely woven baskets) and whariki (floor mats) to contemporary pieces using peacock feathers, fishing lines and builders’ paper. Other exhibits are taniko (tapestries), tukutuku (wall panels) and piupiu (skirts).

Like the art works, the programme of events provides an insight in to New Zealand’s cultural identity and explores the evolution of Maori art.

The programme begins with a lecture on 16 February at 11am with Sir Tipene O’Regan on The Significance of Māori Art in Today’s Society and at 2pm a discussion with Darcy Nicholas from Pataka Museum on the exhibition’s tour to and back from the States.

Highlights of the events programme include an evening with author and New Zealand’s only Booker Prize winner Keri Hulme, a presentation of Ta Moko – contemporary applications of traditional Māori designs, historic films on the art of weaving, a demonstration of waka paddling skills by Hekenukumai Busby, weaving presentations, a talk on women on waka journeys, a lecture on Māori rock art, and a discussion by a whanau of artists, writer Patricia Grace and her daughters, playwright Briar and weaver Kohai.

Art gallery director Jenny Harper says it is a real thrill for this Gallery to be involved in the homecoming of such a significant show. “Its spiritual value is well established in Aotearoa, but the cultural mana which accrues following a successful tour overseas is immeasurable.

“We are delighted too to have such a wide range of events and other public offerings scheduled alongside Toi Māori. This will enable our visitors to gain from the experience of going to the exhibition on several occasions as well as learning more about the continuing tradition of weaving and other Maori arts and writing.”

For a full list of events please call the Gallery on 03 941 7302 or check out the website www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz

ENDS

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