Toi Maori Aotearoa , International Initiatives
Recent key events and partnership projects (as at August 2005)
1. KIWA , Pacific Connections exhibition, Vancouver, Canada 2003
KIWA exhibition catalogue
- September 2003, Spirit Wrestler Gallery in Vancouver held the exhibition KIWA which was a major exhibition of contemporary Maori art (painting, mixed media, carving, sculpture, adornment) alongside an exhibition of Native Northwest Coast art from major native Canadian artists
- Accompanied by high quality glossy art catalogue of the exhibition
- Buyers attended from around Canada and the USA with interest also from European and New Zealand buyers
- $400,000 of artworks sold on the first day, equal to 75% of the total exhibition value
- The first work sold within one minute of the opening
- Extensive coverage on Canadian TV and Newspaper media of the exhibition and kapahaka performing group
2. The Eternal Thread - Te Aho Mutunga Kore exhibition, Porirua 2004
Royal visit
Prince Edward with exhibition curator Helen Kedgley, Porirua Mayor Jenny Brash and Toi Maori Chairperson Waana Davis at PATAKA Museum in Porirua
- Working with Pataka Porirua Museum of Arts and Culture, Toi Maori Aotearoa produced the landmark Eternal Thread exhibition which featured during the NZ International Arts Festival (February , June 2004)
- The first major international touring exhibition to celebrate the changing art of Maori weaving; contains over 90 works of traditional and contemporary weaving
- Toured to Rotorua Museum of Art and History (August , November 2004) and to the Auckland War Memorial Museum for the AK05 Auckland Arts Festival (February , April 2005)
- The exhibition will tour to the USA during 2005 , 2007 to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, California (Opens 4 August 2005); Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon (Opens 24 September 2005); Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (Opens 4 February 2006); The Museum at Warm Springs, Warm Springs, Oregon (Opens 4 June 2006)
3. Whenua: Born of the Land exhibition, Wellington 2004
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast
Speaking at the opening of the Whenua exhibition
- 'Whenua: Born of the Land was an exhibition of contemporary Maori art at the Tinakori Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand between 26 August and 4 September 2004. The exhibition followed on from the highly successful "Kiwa" exhibition at the world-leading indigenous art gallery Spirit Wrestler in Vancouver, Canada
- 18 premier contemporary Maori artists were featured, with paintings, sculpture, ceramic works, and adornment/jewellery
- A significant catalogue and website (http://www.whenua04.com) were produced to accompany the exhibition
4. Olympic Games, Athens, Greece 2004
Kakahu (Cloak)
Created by Te Aue Davis for the NZ Olympic Team
- Toi Maori Aotearoa worked with the NZ Olympic Committee to present Maori art and cultural components for the NZ Olympic Team
- Te Aue Davis, master weaver of Auckland created a kakahu (cloak) to be worn during the Opening Ceremony at Athens by Beatrice Faumuina, flagbearer for the New Zealand team
- Manos Nathan, ceramic artist of Maori and Greek New Zealand descent, created a specially commissioned whenua pot (ceremonial urn) that was placed in the ground at the Athens Memorial located at Phaleron. Members of the New Zealand team attended the ceremony to pay respects to 1932 Olympian George Cooke and all other New Zealand soldiers buried at the Athens Memorial
- The New Zealand Olympic team was surrounded by an installation of major artworks within the Olympic Village in Athens for the duration of the games. The striking and colourful carved and painted artworks were created by Derek Lardelli and a team of tutors and students at Toihoukura Visual Art and Design School, Tairawhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne
5. Honouring Words Aotearoa tour 2005
Thomas King
Cherokee writer, Canada
- Thomas King, renowned Canadian novelist took part in the Honouring Words International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour alongside two native Canadian, three Aboriginal Australian and three Maori writers
- A highlight was the special evening event with Thomas King and Patricia Grace, held in Wellington with the support of the NZ Book Council
6. Tuwhare CD 2005
Tuwhare CD
Album cover
- Launched in May 2005, the Tuwhare CD was a highly anticipated follow up to the Baxter CD (2000) to celebrate Hone Tuwhare, one of New Zealand's most celebrated poets
- Charlotte Yates (singer/songwriter) produced the CD and commissioned 12 bands/musicians to write a song set to poetry by Hone Tuwhare
- The CD was released in May 2005 and has quickly made the NZ Top 40 Albums Chart
- In 2006, performers from the CD will present a live show at the NZ International Arts Festival in Wellington