TE KAIWHAKAARAARA
Maori Arts Exhibition 13 – 27 November 2009
On the sunny weekend of 13-14th November Poihakena Marae, fresh from its recent DIY upgrade, hosted a very special event. Of course the kids on the bouncy castle, and the whanau singing at the karaoke, or the crowds looking for that Christmas bargain at the market stalls, and lining up for hangi might not have been aware of what this Saturday Gala event was supporting.
The previous night had been the Opening Exhibition for the artworks of the first students of the Rauangi (Maori Visual Arts) course run by Te Wananga o Aotearoa. The year-long course has been taught by artist Heeni Kerekere, a renowned weaver and multi-media artist, who among other things went as part of a group to the U.K. with Maori Opera singer Inia Te Wiata in 1996, and while there became involved with the first ever display at the British Museum of the gifts presented to Captain Cook by Maori tribes of that time. They were also one of the first groups to return Maori tattooed heads to their homeland.
Other New Zealand artists who have helped throughout the year are local bone carver Rangi Wills, painter and ceramics artist Darren Keith, and James Webster – ta moko artist and maker of taonga pouru (Maori traditional instruments). Earlier in the year the students enjoyed a weekend road trip to Hastings to visit Sandy Adsett and the students at the long established Maori Arts School, Toi Mairangi.
At the Exhibition Opening on Friday night Tuwhakairiora Savage spoke on behalf of Te Wananga o Aotearoa, and their plans to continue the 3year Diploma of Maori Visual Arts in Whaingaroa. Next year’s enrollments are now open, and all cultures are encouraged to participate. You don’t have to be Maori to do the course, just interested in learning and creating from a Maori perspective. With the Exhibition now blessed and opened, the night was toasted, and bystanders were able to chat with the students about their works – many of the pieces were available to purchase.
The exhibition has been named “Te Kaiwhakaaraara” to mark the beginning of an awakening for Maori visual arts in this area. Te Kaiwhakaaraara sometimes refers to one of the largest and loudest of traditional Maori instruments, a wooden carved puukaaea (trumpet), blown to inform others of events, and often used to announce the birth of an important child in a tribe. Te Kaiwhakaaraara – the exhibition is being held at the white Kohanga Reo building, down the driveway to the side of Poihakena Marae.
Everyone is warmly welcome to visit and view the art works in the two weeks from 13-27th November, Monday to Friday from 9-5pm.
