Matariki 20 x 20

We went to learn about Matariki and about why artists create and share their art. 

Photo Credit: Jon Tootill, Kahu , 2010-2014, acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of the artist and Bath Street Gallery (Detail)
Image: Art by Dion Hitchens	MATARIKI 20X20  - One day only seminar Matariki atua ka eke mai i te rangi e roa, Devine Matariki come forth from the far off heaven, E whangainga iho ki te mata o te tau e roa e Bestow the first fruits of the year upon us It features Maori practitioners from a number of disciplines, including photographer Deane-Rose Ngatai, members of the Roots Collective and Atamira Dance Company, discussing their practices in a visual, fun format. (See the full list below). Each speaker presents 20 images and speaks to each image for 20 seconds, offering insight into their influences and motivations. This will be followed by a question and answer session, an opportunity for the audience to get feedback on their own ideas and aspirations.
Image: Art by Tracey Tawhiao Image: Art by Deane-Rose Ngatai Image: Haka by Atamira Image: Art by Charlotte Graham	20x20  SPEAKERS  Celebrate a harvest of creative excellence with Matariki 20x20 Tracey Tawhiao (Ngai te Rangi, Whakatohea, Tuwharetoa) was born in 1967. She is a multi-skilled contemporary artist who has studied and worked in a variety of fields. She is a writer, performance poet, filmmaker, qualified lawyer and practising artist. Charlotte Graham is of Scottish, Taranaki and Waikato descent (Ngati Mahuta, Ngai Tai ki Tamaki, Ngati Tamaoho, Ngati Whanaunga and Ngati Paoa). Graham is one of a generation of Maori artists who draw on their tribal heritage thus exploring social, political and cultural issues that affect New Zealand society. She was born in 1972. Martin Langdon (Tainui - Nagti Whawhakia, Ngati Hikairo, Ngai Tahu) is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Auckland. He employs dualistic processes to investigate the in-between spaces of conversations.  He talks about his practice as “Art that inspires, Art that creates thought or question, Art that has a sense of wonder, Art reflecting life, Art critiquing social observations”. Deane-Rose Ngatai is of Maori and Pakeha descent (with iwi affiliations to Ngati Porou and Tainui). She has recently completed a Master in Design and her practice explores both still photography and moving image. Born and raised in Tamaki, Deane is of a generation of urban Maori. She is interested in exploring her experiences through kaupapa Maori, bilingual education through visual storytelling while documenting her communities. Jack Gray  from Atamira Dance Company (Ngati Porou, Te Whanau a Kai, Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa) has a 15 year professional history as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, writer and performance researcher, presenting dance works, workshops, panels, papers, and performances. Graham Tipene (Ngati Whatua) runs Te Wheke Moko and is part of the Te Whe collective of Taa Moko (Tattoo) Artists. Graham’s aim is to raise the international profile of Ngati Whatua Art in central Auckland and to continue the creative art/tikanga legacy that has been passed through the generations within the Tamaki area. Hemi Tai Tin (Ngati Hine, a Pouwaru of Te Whare Tuu Taua ) is a composer of waiata and haka; he is a leader in Maori language studies for Massey High School. Cushla Parekowhai (Ngati Porou) is an Auckland based writer and curator of Ngati Porou descent. She has published extensively and is an arts commentator and educator. In 2005 she was a contributor to Handboek: The Photographs of Ans Westra. Dion Hitchens (Tuhoe) is a well-known NZ sculptor of Chinese and Maori descent. His career includes New Zealand and international gallery based exhibitions and large public sculptures that use a range of materials and techniques including traditional carving and digital technologies.  John Tootill (Ngai Tahu) Interests as a contemporary artist influenced by his Ngai Tahu heritage.  His recent work employs combinations of kōwhaiwhai and references to modernist abstraction. The compositions of his works are methodically developed over time through experimentation with traditional mediums and digital imagery.

Aiden

I like the artwork

I like walk around look at different artwork.

Troy

It about art. I like speaker number 10 (Hemi Tai Tin) talking about the spear. Certain part of the spear with different meaning.

Lauren

I enjoy look at the slide show.

I like the new art especially the maori art.  

I like the maori stick

Michael

We going to Corban estate then we went upstairs to the Gallery art centre.

I like 10 speaker  talk about Matariki.

Kahi whetu - Cluster of stars.  There are 6 sisters of matariki

1. Tupuakuku
2. Tupuarangi
3. Waiti
4. Waita
5. Ururangi
6. Waipuna a rangi
7. Matariki

Keenen

We went to the Gallery to look at the art.  Then we get some photo of the art.   We look at the art show. We have fun at the matariki. I like speaker number 10 (Hemi Tai Tin) because he is a composer of waiata and haka.

Brennan

We went to the Corban estate arts centre to look at the art.  It was fun.  I like the first speaker Jack Gray because he talk about his dance. 15 years professional dance experience.

Jordan

On Wednesday 1st July we are going to see Matariki.  We walked into a darkroom with a stage inside the room. We stayed inside the room for 2 and a half hours.  My favourite thing is the man (Martin Langdon) made those wonder art reflecting life art critiquing.

Bradley

We went to Corban’s Estate Arts Centre for Matariki.  There were people giving speeches about what they made for Matariki and what they represent.  The presentation went for a very long time.

Joseph

I like the show. They talk about a name (Maori name)

Natasha

We went to the Corbans Art Center to see art.  10 people talk about different kind of art. They talk about each picture for 20 second. My favorite one was Graham Tipene he talk about the different art he done in Auckland. He did some art for the children's area at Auckland Library.   The speeches went for hour and a half.