“Through Our Eyes” Exhibition

“Through Our Eyes”

A MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION EXPLORING THE CONCEPT

OF MATARIKI ‘THROUGH THE EYES’ OF THE STUDENTS

OF TE KURA KAUPAPA MAORI O RAWHITI ROA

Curated by: Ellen Hohepa and Maree Saunders.

5th June – 29th June 2007

‘Matariki’ is the Maori name for a small but distinctive star cluster whose appearance in the north eastern pre-dawn sky in late May, early June marks the start of a new phase of life: the Maori New Year. Although there are tribal differences regarding the timing, celebrations most often begin at the next new moon after Matariki has risen. In 2007, this occurs on the 16th of June.

The timing of Matariki’s rising and the particular Maori celebration is unique to Aotearoa. However, the Matariki cluster can be seen from many parts of the world where it is known by several other names including Pleiades, Seven Sisters, Subaru and Messier 45.

The name “Matariki” has two meanings – Mata Riki (Tiny Eyes) and Mata Ariki (Eyes of God). As well as marking the start of a new year, Matariki also signals other new beginnings: traditionally Matariki was the time for Maori to plant trees, prepare the land for planting crops and renew associations with whānau, family and friends. The New Year is also a good time to reflect on the past and the future and your place in the world. It is also a time for education, a time to reawaken old skills and to try out new ones and set new goals.

“Through our eyes” is indeed a celebration for the young student artists of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rawhiti Roa. A celebration treasuring the exploration of traditional skills and the development of new contemporary skills in the making and presentation of their artworks, and it is also a celebration of the students exploration of both the traditional depiction of Matariki and the concept of Matariki in New Zealand today.

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