Local artists’ Matariki exhibition

Local artists’ Matariki exhibition opportunity an open and shut case

Waikato District Council is ‘lifting the lid’ for the second time on the work of local artists, with the return of its upcoming ‘suitcase’ art exhibition which aims to celebrate Matariki (the Maaori New Year) in the district. The exhibition is part of the Council’s local Matariki Festival events and it focuses on one of the festival’s five themes: Mahi Toi (the arts).

“We’re inviting artists living in the Waikato district - or any artist who identifies as being Waikato-Tainui - to submit up to two pieces of new or existing work for the exhibition,” says Waikato District Council General Manager, Strategy and Support, Tony Whittaker. A ‘travelling suitcase‘ exhibition is one which features artworks which each fit into a suitcase and can travel due to the compact size.

To be eligible for the exhibition, the works should apply either traditional Maaori arts and crafts methods or contemporary modern methods, says Mr Whittaker. “Each artwork also needs to embrace and demonstrate what the Maaori New Year means to each artist and it must have been created within the last 12 months.”

Artworks accepted as suitable for the exhibition will be showcased at a range of Waikato District Council venues later in June and through into July. A wide variety of entries is expected, as the works can use any medium, for example, metal, wood, clay, textiles, fibre, or paints. “The artworks could be paintings and sculptures, installations, jewellery or wearable art – as long at the artwork fits into a suitcase and meets the other exhibition criteria,” Mr Whittaker says.

Entry forms are available from Waikato District Council offices or phoning or emailing Lianne Van Dem Bend: 07 824 5732 or Lianne.VanDemBend@waidc.govt.nz. Entries should be received by the Waikato District Council by 5.00pm on Tuesday, June 14. A separate entry form is required for each entry.

For more details on this and other Waikato district-based Matariki festival events (including activities and displays at your local library), see the Waikato District Council’s website atwww.waikatodistrict.govt.nz.

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