Maori Weaving Exhibition Journeys Home
Toi Maori Aotearoa Press Release
9 January 2007
Celebrate the journey home of 'Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread' at Christchurch Art Gallery, opening on 15 February 2007.
'Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread' was the first major international touring exhibition to celebrate the changing art of Maori weaving.
The exhibition was developed by Pataka Museum in Porirua City, in partnership with Toi Maori Aotearoa , Maori Arts New Zealand and Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa , the Maori weavers collective; with major funding from Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand.
It premiered during the NZ International Arts Festival, Wellington, in February 2004 before touring to the Rotorua Museum of Art and History and to the Auckland War Memorial Museum during AK05.
From here it went offshore touring the West Coast of America. By the end of 2006, this tour had reached audiences of over 90,000 people as well as the interest of the U.S. media.
Collaboration between Native American and Maori artists at each exhibition venue has led to groups of Native American and First Nation Canadian artists from California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska coming to Christchurch for the return of this landmark exhibition.
From February 15th 2007 to April 2007, the Christchurch Art Gallery will host the homecoming of these treasures, returning from its tour of the U.S.A. which incorporated a major celebration of Maori art and artists.
Many of the artists with works in the exhibition will attend to give demonstrations of weaving and presentations about their work. These include Edna Pahewa, Tina Wirihana, Roka Cameron and Donna Campbell.
This highly-celebrated international exhibition linking cultures together encompasses the ever changing art of Maori weaving. The art form has developed, reasserted and reinvented itself , from the finest traditional kakahu (cloaks), kete (finely woven baskets), and whariki (floor mats), to outstanding contemporary pieces.
As master weaver Erenora Puketapu-Hetet, who passed away in 2006, said very aptly: "In Maoridom, weaving is acknowledged as having its own life force, and is accorded a level of respect depending on the mana of the weaver and the qualities of the weaving process."
ENDS
For media enquiries and further information, please contact:
Jenny Knight, Communications Officer
Toi Maori Aotearoa - Maori Arts New Zealand
Phone: 04 801-7914
Email: jenny@maoriart.org.nz
Website: http://www.maoriart.org.nz