Web Series Celebrates Ngāi Tahu Artists

Web Series Celebrates Ngāi Tahu Artists

Following on from the success of its Mahinga Kai web series, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has been successful in securing funding from Te Mangai Paho to create an eight episode web series Ngā Ringa Toi o Tahu.

Filming kicked off in Dunedin recently with local artist Simon Kaan who describes his work as ‘biological landscapes’ – animated vistas that piece together a sense of belonging and explore a multi-dimensional sense of self – his heritage (a Ngāi Tahu mother and Chinese father) and love of surfing and the local landscape all influence his artistic practice.

“Essentially this is a series of mini art documentaries that provide a brief glimpse into the lives and careers of some of New Zealand’s most celebrated contemporary art practitioners who also happen to be Ngāi Tahu,” says Executive Producer and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Chief Operating Officer Julian Wilcox.

Other artists featuring in the series are: master carver Fayne Robinson, jeweller Areta Wilkinson, sculptor Priscilla Cowie, multimedia artist Lonnie Hutchinson, photographer Fiona Pardington, video installation artist Nathan Pohio, weavers Reihana Parata and Morehu Flutey-Henare and sculptor Ross Hemera.

“There’s no denying that digital story telling is the way of the future. The web is the perfect vehicle for sharing stories not only with a mass audience but most importantly with Ngāi Tahu whānui wherever they live around the globe,” says Wilcox.

The series is due for completion by the end of May 2017.

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