Community canvasses weaving connections
Representative of the artists and weavers, Te Ataarangi ki te Tauihu, Ngāti Rārua and the Marlborough Arts Society. Standing: Christine Piper, Pikihuia Reihana, Glenna Casalme, Indie Tai Rakena, Vanessa Anderson, Carleen Heemi, Aramoana du Feu, Sarah Hunter, Francie Ryder, Kevin Miritana, Sue Stephens, Wa Stephens, Barbara Miritana. Seated: Anne Barrer, Charli Farnell and Marg Campbell. Photo: Alex Roberton.
A community-sourced exhibition combining traditional Māori weaving and collaborative painting based around Matariki, and fundraising for te reo Māori revitalisation is on display in Blenheim.
The Matariki Art Series, featuring works from the Te Ataarangi calendar, Te Āo Mārama, is a collection of Te Ao Māori inspired artworks created by Te Ohu Weka, a collaborative art group working from Onetahua Marae each year.
The Weavers of Te Ataarangi rāranga collection features works by eighteen weavers from across the Top of the South.
Te Ataarangi ki te Tauihu’s training tutor Christine Piper said the combination display – bringing both painting and weaving mediums – wasn’t originally the intention.
“This year our fundraising paintings and calendar was all about Te Ao Marama – when Rangi and Papa are separated, there’s everything between, so we talked about light, and very quickly talked about hope.
“When I came to the Art Society and realised they had another significant space, so we put a call out for a weaving exhibition, and it was wonderful to see what came back to us.”
While Te Ataarangi ki te Tauihu has been working as a community organisation for the past 42 years, the idea of a series of collaborative paintings is something Christine says ties directly into Te Ao Māori.
“It is very special because it’s the collaborative work of students contributing to this kaupapa because they support the revitalization of Te Reo – we get together as a group at the Marae, brainstorm the idea, sleep on it and have a go to make it better together. Our artists allow the paint to dry and soak in, then pick it up and add their own touches, so most of the paintings has a touch from everyone where they felt it was needed until the individual pieces were declared complete.
“We’re thrilled to have their work displayed in Wairau”. Visit the Te Ataarangi exhibition for free at the Marlborough Art Society, 204 High St, Blenheim, until 31 July.