Toi Ngāpuhi Exhibition Pays Tribute to Colleen And Manos

Media Release

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Toi Ngāpuhi Exhibition Pays Tribute to Colleen And Manos

As Aotearoa’s premier Iwi art exhibitions, the Toi Ngāpuhi Māori Art Exhibition will return to Kaikohe this weekend to showcase some of Ngāpuhi’s finest Māori arts and artists.

Located at Northland College, over 50 artists will be exhibiting artwork across several mediums including clay, glass, fibre, photography, painting, prints and multi-media. Each piece of artwork has been specially made for the exhibition, and all artwork is for sale.

Exhibition curator, Rhonda Halliday says the success and recognition of Toi Ngāpuhi as a world-class exhibition has been a collective effort, but particularly acknowledges the commitment and leadership of former exhibition curators and artists, Colleen Waata-Urlich and Manos Nathan, who both sadly passed away last year.

“As well as being such beautiful people, Colleen and Manos ensured that the ethos, cuture and quality of artwork on display was exemplary and that the best of Ngāpuhi was represented. The exhibition will therefore feature tributes to them both”.

The theme for the exhibition is ‘Wahine Toa’ inspired by artist Maureen Lander and her works exhibited at the Alexander Turnbull Library of Hariata Rongo - daughter of Hongi Hika and wife of Hone Heke.

“Maureen's art draws on aspects of Hariata's attire, in particular her 'War Sash' and 'War Bonnet’, as well as Hariata's leadership and reputation as a warrior woman and strategist” shares Rhonda.

“We’re always excited to bring the Toi Ngāpuhi exhibition to Kaikohe and to Ngāpuhi Festival, especially this year as we honour Colleen and Manos and the legacy they leave for Ngāpuhi and Māori arts and culture.

“The exhibition has become one of the high-profile events at Ngāpuhi Festival” says Carol Dodd, Acting Chair of Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi, “the artwork is simply stunning and it’s great to have Ngāpuhi artists exhibit at Ngāpuhi’s largest celebration of culture and arts”.

Toi Ngāpuhi is proudly sponsored by Creative New Zealand, law firm Russell McVeagh and the University of Auckland.

The official opening is at 6.00pm on Wednesday 27 January

WHAT: Toi Ngāpuhi Māori Arts Exhibition

WHERE: Northland College, Kaikohe

WHEN: Public viewing: Thursday 28 – Sunday 31 January

COST: Free entry

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