Biggest Ever Contemporary Maori Arts Gathering

14 September 2011

Biggest Ever Contemporary Maori Arts Gathering And Exhibition

The biggest ever showing of contemporary Maori art from more than 200 Maori painters, clay and glass workers, carvers, jewellers, ta moko, musicians, story-tellers and film-makers goes on display at the biennial MAORI ART MARKet at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua City from October 6-9.

An influx of tens of thousands of international rugby tourists is expected during the event, which will provide an opportunity to showcase Maori culture through contemporary Maori art, and enable visitors to talk to the artists and buy affordable and genuine Maori items to take home as mementos.

MAORI ART MARKet will start at 6.30pm on 4 October 2011 with a formal welcome at Pataka Museum for artists Bunmei Okabe from Japan, Grahame Sydney the New Zealand invited artist, and Contemporary Maori artists Beverly Rhodes, Maria Brockhill, Barry Te Whatu, Norm Heke, Regan Balzer and Tanu Aumua.

The grand opening of MAORI ART MARKet will be the following night at 6.00pm 5 October 2011, in the Te Rauparaha Arena. It will feature food, wine, fashion and opera singers. It is expected to be attended by the artists, invited guests, art collectors and buyers who will be given the first choice of the work on sale.

Other specially invited guest artists to MAORI ART MARKet this year include Dan Namingha from USA, Danny Eastwood from Australia, Filipe Tohi a New Zealand Tongan, Fatu Feu'u a New Zealand Samoan, and Peter Coates a documentary-maker.

Only 20 minutes from downtown Wellington with plenty of parking. Catch the Airport Flyer bus or go by suburban train. Doors open from 10am each day. Adults $10. Children U18 and Kaumatua $5. Daily family passes $25. A rare chance to meet and talk to 200 contemporary Maori.

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