Art Show Profiles Wairoa Artistic Achievement

Art Show Profiles Wairoa Artistic Achievement

Wairoa Aotearoa New Zealand

AN AUCKLAND ART SHOW will next week profile the work and visionary achievements of a diverse range of artists from Wairoa.

Over a dozen artists have donated works for the Mana Wairoa Art Exhibition, which will be held at the Taumata Gallery on Symonds Street, Auckland CBD.

A portion of proceeds from the art show will go toward supporting the Wairoa Maori Film Festival, planned for June this year in Wairoa. Wairoa is located on the North Island East Coast of Aotearoa New Zealand.

"Taumata Gallery is the premier gallery for the diplay of Maori artworks in Tamaki Makaurau, and we are honoured to have this opportunity to showcase the talents of our local artists," says exhibition organiser Leo Koziol.

Art to go on display includes work by Sandy Adsett, Rakai Gul, Herete Kairau, Thomas Beattie Lauterbac, Matanuku Mackey, Ngaromoana Raureti, Pita Robinson, Julia Taiapa, Tracey Tawhiao and Muri Whaanga.

The Mana Wairoa Art Exhibition opens next Wednesday April 13th 2005 with a reception at 5.00 p.m. at the Taumata Gallery. "We thank Taumata Gallery, our Patron Dame Georgina Kirby, and Tohu Wines for supporting the holding of this art show and reception," says Mr. Koziol.

A brief presentation regarding the Wairoa Maori Film Festival will be made by the Festival Director, Leo Koziol (Rakaipaaka, Kahungunu). The art show runs until Friday May 6th 2004.

ABOUT THE MAORI FILM FESTIVAL

Wairoa's first Maori Film Festival will be held this Queen's Birthday weekend to mark the commencement of Matariki, the "Maori New Year".

The Wairoa Maori Film Festival will be held at the Gaiety Theatre and other venues, Matariki Weekend, June 2nd to 6th 2005. The Opening Night Festival Gala is June 2nd 2005. It is hoped to include a street parade and fireworks as part of the opening night fiesta.

"We are hoping for the Maori Film Festival to be a premiere event on the Aotearoa arts calendar," says Festival Director Leo Koziol. "The recent securing of the National Geographic Society as our international partner means it will be a showcase for both the best in Maori film-making and international indigenous film-making."

Patrons of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival include Dame Georgina Kirby, Lee Tamahori, Rena Owen, Merata Mita, Cliff Curtis, Derek Fox, Mika, Chris Sidney, Witi Ihimaera, Don Selwyn, Barry Everard, Te Arohanoa Taiapa and Mayor Bob Harvey of Waitakere City.

Funding support for the festival has been secured from the NZ Film Commision, NZ Ministry of Economic Development, Creative NZ Te Waka Toi, and NZ Trade & Enterprise.

Contact: Rakeiti Shepherd, Festival Coordinator, Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2005; email: manawairoa@xtra.co.nz; http://www.manawairoa.com

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