200 Weavers to Gather in Waitara, Taranaki
Weavers National Hui Media Release 30 September 2005
Labour Weekend (21 , 24 October) will see over 200 weavers gathering in Waitara, Taranaki to celebrate the art of Maori weaving, at the Weavers National Hui - a Toi Maori Aotearoa event held every two years.
Weavers; young and old, students, well known artists and respected elders will gather together to demonstrate their skills and learn from each other. The finest works of weaving will be on display and a Public Open Day will be held on Saturday 22 October at Owae Marae providing an opportunity for visitors to see the weavers at work and talk to them about their art.
A number of the weavers attending will have just returned from travelling to the USA with the major international touring exhibition of weaving "Toi Maori - The Eternal Thread." A delegation of Maori weavers recently travelled to San Francisco, California for the 'Maori Art Meets America' event in August 2005. Another delegation has travelled to Salem, Oregon to open the exhibition on 23 September 2005 at its second US venue, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, Oregon, USA.
During the Weavers National Hui, the weavers will share their experiences of demonstrating their weaving in the USA and meeting with the indigenous weavers of California and Oregon. Two Native American weavers from Oregon in the USA will also travel to attend the Weavers National Hui and meet with Maori weavers.
"Maori weaving holds a critical position within the cultural landscape of Aotaeroa. Our exhibition 'The Eternal Thread , Te Aho Mutunga Kore' has forged a new direction for us to present not only in our own country but also on the world stage. As weavers, we inherit a huge responsibility in continuing the known forms, exploring new directions and displaying the inherent beauty of our chosen art." Ranui Ngarimu, Chairperson, Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa (Weavers New Zealand).
The Weavers National Hui provides the membership of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa (Weavers New Zealand) with an opportunity to network and share in the progress and developments of Maori weaving techniques. The hui is also a forum for the election of new committee members to Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa. Registration is essential.
The Weavers National Hui is presented by Toi Maori Aotearoa - Maori Arts New Zealand, the national organisation for Maori arts. The Weavers National Hui and Toi Maori Aotearoa receive major funding from Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand. The Weavers National Hui is also supported by Auahi Kore and TSB Community Trust.
Weavers National Hui webpage: http://www.maoriart.org.nz/events/national_hui
Event details:
Event: Weavers National Hui 2005
Venue: Owae Marae, Waitara, Taranaki
Dates: 21 - 24 October 2005
For registrations, please contact Toi Maori Aotearoa: Phone 04 801 7914; Website http://www.maoriart.org.nz; Email naomi@maoriart.org.nz.
For further information or media enquiries, please contact: Naomi Singer, Project Officer, Toi Maori Aotearoa. Email naomi@maoriart.org.nz or phone 04 801 7914.