Ngā māreikura a Matariki, whakaniko ki Ngāti Awa is an exhibition that brings together for the first time a collection of Ngāti Awa wāhine whose work draws on tribal customs, values and connections to the Pacific.
Curator Exhibitions, Israel Randel (Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu), says the exhibition “hits different” because women feature in every aspect.
“There is so much rich uniqueness about this exhibition, it’s hard to put into words. For the very first time here in Whakatāne we see the stories and ideas of Ngāti Awa wahine reflected on our walls through practices such as whakairo, painting, weaving and large-scale site-specific work.”
The event has been in the planning stages for some time, and is entirely wahine-led, right down to the karakia and mihi shared during the exhibition opening. The exhibition features twenty-five female artists, all who whakapapa to Ngāti Awa.
A total of fifty works are on display and cover a wide range of art forms. The exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists who have never before displayed their works to sit alongside established artists, whose varied work is renowned here and abroad. Artists featured in the exhibition include Dame Robin White, Sarah Hudson, Erena Koopu and Glenda Hape.
Artists were given three themes to express in this show; Te Tahi o Te Rangi, Matariki, and Te Mana tō te wahine. Some of the works and their narratives debunk the colonial influenced view on what roles and art Māori women are able to perform.
Ms Randel says the exhibition is just a small sample of the pool of talent within Ngāti Awa.
“What we see on the walls is a vivid visual language unique to Ngāti Awa. We’ve been dreaming up a collaboration like this for a while now and we're stoked that the arts are bringing us all together in this way,” says Israel. She adds, “We want our Iwi and wider communities to understand that this gallery space is for them. A place to express their full potential. And in this case, we see in full force an expression of Ngāti Awatanga.”
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Manager - Culture, Research and Archives, Noti Belshaw, says it’s been an enjoyable experience working alongside Ms Randell and the staff at the Library and Gallery.
“I’ve learned a lot and seen first-hand the hard work that goes into preparing and installing the works for the exhibition. The input and suggestions we provided were embraced at every turn.” Noti says, “We look forward to future collaborations.”
Ngā māreikura a Matariki, whakaniko ki Ngāti Awa is open now and runs until Saturday 19 August 2023 at Te Kōputu a te Whanga a Toi, 49 Kākāhoroa Drive, Whakatāne.