Ngapuhi Festival 2014

Ngapuhi Festival 2014

Toi Ngapuhi – Aotearoa’s premier Iwi Maori art exhibition, opens in Toi Ngapuhi, a renowned celebration of traditional and contemporary Ngapuhi and Maori arts and taonga, opens tonight (January 22) in Northland College, Kaikohe, in the lead-up to this weekend’s Ngapuhi Festival 2014.

Once again, Toi Ngapuhi is sponsored by Creative New Zealand and leading national law In keeping with the theme for Ngapuhi Festival 2014 – Ngapuhi Reaching Out to the World – the highlight of this year’s Toi Ngapuhi exhibition will be the participation of a large contingent of indigenous artists from Australia, North America, the Pacific and Pacific rim They join established and emerging Ngapuhi and Maori artists from throughout Aotearoa.

The exhibition features art and design from the 140 artists across many disciplines: paint, clay, fibre, carving, sculpture, glass, print, ta moko, photography, jewellery and adornments.

Said Chairman of Te Runanga-a-iwi o Ngapuhi, Raniera (Sonny) Tau: “Toi Ngapuhi is truly the flagship of the biennial Ngapuhi Festival, which attracted approximately 45,000 over its “This exhibition now has an international standing, and has been acclaimed by critics, to such an extent that we now attract most of the biggest names in Te Ao Maori art circles.

“This is recognised by Creative New Zealand and Russell McVeagh through their continuous “Toi Ngapuhi is a way for Ngapuhi and Iwi Maori artists to show off their traditional artistry and originality at an important exhibition, as well as an opportunity for visitors to experience the very best of the Maori and indigenous creative scene in one spot.

“In presenting Toi Ngapuhi, it is our dream that we expand our understanding of the artistic world through the lens of Ngapuhi.”

For more information, please contact Reuben Wharawhara, 0275230701 or 09 401 5530 or Allen Iconic Hongi Hika poster available at Toi Ngapuhi & this weekend’s An iconic poster of a painting depicting the great Ngapuhi rangatira Hongi Hika has been produced for this weekend’s Ngapuhi Festival in Kaikohe.

The painting, by acclaimed Ngapuhi artist Allen Wihongi, was the highpoint of the 2012 Toi Ngapuhi exhibition, held during the last Ngapuhi Festival.

Said Te Runanga-a-iwi-o Ngapuhi Chairman, Raniera (Sonny) Tau: “This artwork is a truly stunning treatment of a carved self-portrait by Hongi Hika, now held in the Auckland Museum.

“Following the 2012 Toi Ngapuhi, many Ngapuhi have talked about how inspired and moved they were by Allen’s painting. Therefore we have decided to have it made into a poster, so that all Ngapuhi can share this magnificent contemporary impression of our great leader.”

Mr Tau said Hongi Hika was a visionary and strategist extraordinaire, who recognised opportunities for Ngapuhi. “Ngapuhi remember him as our most influential leader, who unified Ngapuhi hapu. This painting and poster commemorates that.”

One thousand posters have been printed, and are on sale for $20 each. They come in cardboard cylinders for protection. The posters will be on sale at Toi Ngapuhi (in the Northland College gymnasium) and at the Runanga tent on both days of Ngapuhi Festival 2014.

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