“Toi Māori” In San Francisco

Toi Māori Media Release
Friday 26 September 2008
For Immediate Release

“Toi Māori” In San Francisco: A Weekend Of
Māori Art And Culture In America

Contemporary Māori Market, Moko (Indigenous Tattooing), Weaving Demonstrations and More
Oct. 10-12;
Opening Reception Oct. 10

Toi Māori Aotearoa is delighted to present this special exhibition ‘Toi Māori - Small Treasures’ in partnership with Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures as part of ‘A Celebration of Māori Art and Culture’ event at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco - de Young Museum in October 2008.

This event and exhibition component form part of an ongoing programme of activity where Toi Māori Aotearoa is committed to profiling and presenting the best of Contemporary Māori Art and Culture to the Northwest Coast of America and Canada.

Visitors to the de Young Museum the weekend of Oct. 10-12 will get an eyeful of all manner of Māori art – and will even be able to purchase New Zealand “small treasures,” artworks by New Zealand’s leading Māori artists. From Friday through Sunday they will also be able to enjoy Māori arts demonstrations and presentations of moko by leading Ta Moko artist’s Derek Lardelli, Mark Kopua and Turumakina Duley. Visitors will also take in displays of traditional Māori cloaks and be mesmerised by the weaving expertise of Edna Pāhewa and Tina Wirihana. Gallery talks will add depth to the museum experience, while art activities will allow visitors to exercise their individual artistry by crafting small treasures they can call their own.

The de Young Museum will also feature “From Māori to Mono: Weaving across the Pacific” with Toi Māori weaver Kohai Grace of Māori Weavers New Zealand. Kohai will be the Artist-in-Residence from Oct. 8 – 22. As a contemporary artist she employs traditional art forms in current day contexts, she often mixes industrial materials with naturally dyed fibres in her weaving. She will be joined by Mono Indian weavers Julie and Carly Tex and Mandy Marine, who will demonstrate the fine art of basket weaving and address its evolution from practical skill to art form. The opening reception will take place on Oct. 10 at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.

ENDS

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