Christchurch City Libraries are excited to be hosting a mini exhibition of contemporary Māori Art from Toihoukura – School of Māori Art and Design based in Gisborne.
Led by Tā | Sir Derek Lardelli, professor at Toihoukura, Te Rā i Whiti exhibition features small works his students have created to tautoko | support the homecoming of the traditional woven harakeke | NZ flax sail Te Rā.
Currently held at the British Museum, Te Rā is the only known customary Māori sail still in existence. Te Rā returns, on loan, to Aotearoa at the end of June for display at the exhibition Te Rā – The Māori Sail, opening Saturday 8 July at Te Puna o Waiwhetū | Christchurch Art Gallery. Over 200 years old, this stunning example of weaving and navigational expertise is believed to have left Aotearoa | New Zealand around the time of Cooks arrival on the ship Endeavor.
Tā | Sir Derek Lardelli, notes “the return of Te Rā is a significant moment not only for Māori but for all New Zealanders, as there are few authentic taonga of this nature from this era that we can welcome home, mihi and learn from.”
“Te Rā i Whiti is a fitting complimentary event leading into the opening of Te Rā – The Māori Sail” says Carolyn Robertson, Libraries Manager, “and Christchurch City Libraries are thrilled to be supporting both exhibitions through hosting this Toihoukura exhibition.”
Te Rā i Whiti opens the evening of Tuesday 4 July and runs daily until Sunday 9 July. The exhibition will be located at Tūranga in Waruwarutū – Ngā Pounamu Māori Collection on Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2.
Nō reira, e hika mā haere mai ki Te Rā i Whiti e kakapa mai nei, e karanga atu rā! ma te noho tahi ka rā tū, ka rā rere tahi tātau!
Come along and view the artworks and learn more about contemporary Māori arts.
Tune in for more about Te Rā
Maatakiwi talks to weaver Mrs Rāinui Ngārimu (Ngāi Tahu/Ngāti Mutungā) about Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery's upcoming exhibition of Te Rā: The Māori Sail.
Interview with Rānui Ngarimu [9 minutes 20 seconds]
Interview with Chloe Cull [9 minutes 1 second]
Te Rā i Whiti Exhibition
Toihoukura – School of Māori Art & Design Exhibition
Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 July 2023
Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2, Tūranga
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