Te Hā O Hineteiwaiwa
Time:Opening: 6pm Monday 11 February 2013
Exhibition: 10am-6pm Tuesday-Saturday 12-16 February 2013
Collection of Purchased Works: 9am-12pm Sunday 17 February 2013
Venue:Thistle Hall, Cuba Street, Wellington
Curator:Elizabeth Kerekere
Artists:Elizabeth Kerekere
Terangi Roimata Kutia-Tataurangi
Toni Saddlier
Christie Patumaka
Te Hā O Hineteiwaiwa
Hineteiwaiwa is the goddess of child birth and te whare pora – the house of learning for weaving and female arts. As the
‘Hā’ or breath, we as Māori women artists acknowledge the rich cultural heritage from which we descend and which informs
our contemporary practice. While each artist has her own point of difference, they share a refined design aesthetic in
their contemporary interpretations of customary Māori art forms. They also share common interests in issues facing Māori
women and whānau.
These four Gisborne-based artists met as students at Toihoukura, EIT in Gisborne, studying for a BA in Māori Visual
Arts. Although not all are weavers, they enjoy the mentorship of Master Weaver and Head Tutor, Christina Hurihia
Wirihana. All four were featured by Toihoukura at Māori Market in Porirua, October 2011 and in student exhibitions in
Wellington, Porirua, Gisborne and Auckland. Elizabeth and Terangi completed their degrees in 2012. Toni and Christie
will complete in 2013.
ELIZABETH KEREKERE
Te Āitanga a Māhaki, Whānau a Kai, Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri
Elizabeth is a multi-media artist who weaves, paints, carves, works with clay and sculpts. She specialises in public
commissions with recent examples including the Gisborne openings of the Community Probation Services (June 2011-8
artworks) and the District Court (February 2012-6 artworks). Elizabeth was a finalist in the ‘Flight of Fantasy’ section
of the Cult Couture Fashion Show, Auckland 2011 and her works will be included in exhibitions in Gisborne and Auckland
in 2013. Elizabeth lived in Wellington for 20 years and is known for her work in the lesbian, gay and trans communities
with a particular focus on young people.
TERANGI ROIMATA KUTIA-TATAURANGINgāti Kōnohi
Terangi produces artwork which reflects her identity as a young Māori woman, a wife and a mother. She uses vibrant
colours in acrylic/oil paints and pastels on canvas and paper. She also uses vinyl paint on Perspex and the triptych
shown below was a commission for the newly opened District Court in Gisborne; in collaboration with Elizabeth Kerekere.
While in Wellington, Terangi will specialise in her other artistic realm – that of Māori nail art. Terangi’s work is
refined and precise in her use of Maori imagery and symbolism. More examples of her work can be seen on http://ariaaariki.wordpress.com.
TONI SADLIERTe Āitanga a Māhaki
Toni is a weaver who works in both traditional and contemporary forms; from intricate small kete to large installations.
She has studied weaving for many years and a woven piece made her a finalist in the ‘Organic’ section of the Cult
Couture Fashion Show, Auckland 2011. Her work was also featured in the Ngā Whakatipuranga exhibition in Rotorua in July
2012.
CHRISTIE PATUMAKARongowhakaata, Ngāti Kahungungu, Rangitāne
Christie is the newest to art of the group and attended Toihoukura to explore her own Māori heritage. She grew up in
South Auckland surrounded by different cultures and married a man from Niue so her art reflects these Pacific
influences. Christie specialises in woodcut relief work but also works in clay. Her multi-media (metal/flax) pieces made
her a finalist in the ‘Flight of Fantasy’ section of the Cult Couture Fashion Show, Auckland 2011 and 2012. Much of her
work revolves around the responsibilities of parents – how important it is to teach, guide, protect and nurture our
children. More examples of her work can be seen on http://patumaka.wordpress.com.
ELIZABETH KEREKERE
ENDS