Aroaromahana – Toi Matarau Art Exhibition

In this exhibition, artists express their connection to the natural world of te ao Māori through their specialised artforms.

A gathering of visual storytelling celebrating the arrival of Spring – Te Kōanga also known as Aroaromahana.

Featuring; Katerina French Armstrong (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu), Lorna Tawhiti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Waikato Tainui) and Toi Matarau artists.

Katerina is a spatial and visual storyteller sharing her Masters project at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts, Massey University.

From a process of whakawhanaungatanga, hīkoi and kōrero working closely with Watene Kaihau, his late mother Tungia Kaihau and Joanne Hakaraia-Olson an installation was created. Intended to guide people through an immersive visual karakia expressing whakapapa and mauri, the community of Ōtaki is invited to attend this unique experience. A series of 3D visualisations that represent three significant sites of Ōtaki connecting wai and rākau.

The purpose is to evoke people with a call to action through three traditional methods of engagement:
Whakarongo – awareness and deep listening
Titiro – observation
Kōrero – extending kōrero between tangata whenua and the wider community around the narratives embedded within ngāhere and whenua

Lorna is an entrepreneur, contemporary Māori artist and tāmoko practitioner who works from her studio at home in Ōtaki. Her specialisation is abstract work inspired by te ao Māori, creating art that has presence and holds space for other world views.

Over 30+ years Lorna’s paintings have captivated many collectors. In recent years a series of breathtaking, native wildlife creatures from land and sea. Many of these beautiful animals holding great significance to tangata whenua of this region and Aotearoa such as Ruru; Tohorā, Huia and Whai. The originals and print editions are amazing testimonies to her gifts and skills.

Join Toi Matarau at Māoriland with Katerina, Lorna, whānau and friends in this special showcase of whakapapa, mauri and mana motuhake.

OPENING NIGHT GUEST SPEAKERS – Watene Kaihau & others

Contact: Kaitiaki Toi, Maakarita Paku
[email protected] or text 022 3953920