MAORI ART MARKet closed for 2009
A Big Success
11 October 2009
MAORI ART MARKET A BIG SUCCESS
Huge crowds have flowed through the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua City over the weekend for the third biennial Maori Art Market.
The event’s creative director Darcy Nicholas said this year’s market had met every expectation and already artists were asking about the next show, which is timed to coincide with the Rugby World Cup.
“The outstanding feature was the quality and quantity of artwork on display as tangible evidence of the enormous breadth of talent that we have as a country,” Mr Nicholas said.
“There is now a strong movement that will spearhead a new phase in New Zealand’s cultural history as we move out of grievance mode and forward as a unified nation,” he said. “Art is a wonderful way to express ourselves and being Maori is what makes us unique to the rest of the world.”
He said the feedback had been enormously positive and a new appreciation of contemporary Maori art had definitely been achieved.
“This is something we can use to enhance our reputation as a country. Contemporary Maori art can be used an economic driver for our tourism. It provides something of intrinsic value for people to take away and remember us for many years to come,” Mr Nicholas said.
ENDS
Released by Morrison McDougall contact Iain Morrison Tel 021 688 668.