Media Release

12 May 2009

Art exhibitions to celebrate Matariki

 Kauwae, a national Maori women´s art collective is holding a series of multi-media exhibitions to celebrate Matariki (Maori New Year). Beginning with the first two exhibitions in Manukau, the selected works will then travel to the Tairawhiti Museum in Gisborne and join artists from the East Coast region.

Named by esteemed kaumatua and weaver Te Aue Davis OBE, the first exhibition ‘Puanga, Kai Rau’ –Puanga the Bounteous - acknowledges the star ‘Puanga’ (Rigel in Orion) that precedes the rising of the constellation Matariki.

Northland-based painter Theresa Reihana personifies the image of Puanga calling the star group back into the heavens in her painting, imbued with depth of colour and iconography. The exhibition begins towards the end of May at Mangere Arts Centre.

The second exhibition ‘Wheturangitia Matariki’ – Matariki Appearing above the Horizon - at The Gallery, Nathan Homestead in Manurewa will focus on the rising of Matariki as it appears over the horizon.

“There is an exciting variety and expertise to be seen from Kauwae’s artists. Print, stained glass and clay as well as paint, fibre, moving image and installation work are all part of the creativity expected in these exhibitions,” says Kauwae founding member and artist Gabrielle Belz, who also coordinates exhibitions for Manukau City Council.

With 50 artists contributing to the exhibition, this year Manukau will be the first city to experience the depth of meaning expressed with high skills in a variety of media. Bringing these works from mature artists and those exploring new frontiers together, at this time of changing seasons, is an appropriate time to evaluate the past and gaze to the future.

Puanga, Kai Rau: 29 May – 17 June, Mangere Arts Centre

Wheturangitia Matariki: 19 June – 12 July, The Gallery, Nathan Homestead

 
ENDS

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