Country’s top Māori Tā Moko Artists at WOMAD

Toi Māori Media Release
Tuesday 11 March 2008
For Immediate Release

Country’s top Māori Tā Moko Artists participating at WOMAD Festival in Taranaki

Te Uhi a Mataora – Toi Māori Aotearoa, is a collective of the country’s top Māori Tā Moko Artists who have precision skills in the art and renaissance of Moko (Māori tattoo).

Renowned artist Mark Kopua, Richard Francis and Turumakina Duley will display their skills in the implementation and creation of moko at Te Paepae, an area of cultural welcome hosted by Taranaki iwi. Taranaki Tā Moko artist Heemi Sundgren will also be involved with Te Uhi.

Derek Lardelli, Chair of Te Uhi a Mataora and Kapa Haka Leader for Whangara mai Tawhiti – current reigning champions of the prestigious Matatini Festival of Māori Performing Arts, will also have his group performing at WOMAD.

According to Mark, Co-Chair of Te Uhi,

“It’s awesome that Te Uhi has been afforded the opportunity to hold a wananga during WOMAD and working alongside iwi. It gives us the chance to push the kaupapa of Moko and interact with people about why we wear tā moko and the tā moko movement!”

Te Uhi will be displaying their talents at the WOMAD festival on Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March 2008.

ENDS

About Toi Māori Aotearoa:
Toi Māori Aotearoa is the national organisation for Māori art and artists and receives major funding from Te Waka Toi, the Māori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand. For more information go to our website: www.maoriart.org.nz

About the Artists:
For more information about the artists, please visit their website:

Derek Lardelli: http://www.maoriart.org.nz/profiles/derek_lardelli

Heemi Sundgren: http://www.spiritwrestler.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_33&products_id=1550

Mark Kopua: http://www.tamoko.org.nz/artists/uruora

Richard Francis: http://toiariki.co.nz/

Turumakina Duley: http://www.tamoko.org.nz/artists/tumoko/

end

© Scoop Media