Toi Maori Brings Contemporary Maori Art Market to Wellington

Toi Maori Brings Contemporary Maori Art Market Back to Wellington’s Waterfront

The Toi Maori Art Market showpiece of contemporary Maori visual art is returning to Wellington City in early November and will be staged across two waterfront venues at Te Papa and the TSB Event Centre.

General Manager for Toi Maori Garry Nicholas said the new funding partnership and return of the event back to the waterfront would enable further expansion of Maori Art Market Event on the national and international art scene.

Contemporary Maori artists have been developing networks and relationships with indigenous artists around the Pacific Rim for the last 40 years. Wellington now has an opportunity to continue this development and become an important cultural hub for the entire global region, Mr Nicholas said.

Toi Maori Trust is a movement that is owned and operated by contemporary Maori artists who enjoy coming to Wellington and interacting with its contemporary visual art scene.

“International artists get excited about invitations to come to New Zealand and Toi Maori selects guest artists from an extensive network of native artists,” he said.

First Nation Canadian fashion designer Dorothy Grant and 2014 recipient The Order of Canada will showcase with contemporary weavers at Te Papa on Friday 7 November, with public shows on Saturday 8 November and Sunday 9 November.

Thursday 13 November at the TSB Arena will be the gala opening of Toi Maori Art Market art show with the event opening to the public from Friday to Sunday 14-16 November.

Toi Maori Art Market brings to Wellington an art experience with artists at work, seminars, presentations and performances from musicians, poets and story tellers.

Top First Nation Canadian sculptor Dempsey Bob, who was awarded the Order of Canada 2014 for his art, will be at the show and displaying his work along with ceramicist, sculptor and mixed media artist Native American Lillian Pitt, who was recognised with Oregon’s Creative Spirit Award.

Other international guests include Hawaiian Maile Andrade artist and Associate Professor University of Hawaii, Native American Tina Kuckkahn Director Longhouse Native Arts Program in Washington State USA and Canadian Nigel Reading, Director Spirit Wrestler Gallery in Vancouver.

Two hundred selected leading, mid-career and emerging contemporary Maori artists will have their work on display and for sale at the TSB Events Centre.

Toi Maori Art Market Creative Director, Darcy Nicholas said the work will include paintings, ceramics, sculptures, carving, weaving, and jewellery.

“There will also be some surprises with invited New Zealand artists,” Darcy Nicholas says.

“One of the great things about Toi Maori Art Market is the accessibility for public to talk directly to the artists about the stories behind their work. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for artists at all levels to learn from each other and to meet curators and gallery directors.”

A feature of this year’s event is the use of special designs by Derek Lardelli and Shane Hansen applied to BMW cars. While Lardelli’s work is a design associated with Ta Moko, Hansen’s work was more akin to kowhaiwhai or painted design.

BMW Wellington principal Hamish Jacob said he was pleased to be approached with the idea and was looking forward to the public reaction.

ENDS

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