Matarau

Overview

A brand new exhibition showcasing contemporary Māori artwork has arrived in Pōneke, featuring local artists and exploring contemporary issues like the economy, politics, whanau and the environment.

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi's upcoming exhibition Matarau explores the role art can play in navigating these complexities of everyday life, especially in the turbulent times suffered over the last few years.

Guest curated by Walters prize-winning artist, writer and curator Shannon Te Ao, the exhibition features artists including Robyn Kahukiwa, Emily Karaka, Hemi Macgregor, Ming Ranginui, Kei te pai press, and James Tapsell-Kururangi.

Te Ao says the exhibition is "visually fun [and] big on scale and ambition".

"Matarau follows a number of exhibitions in Aotearoa that are highlighting the significance of Māori art — this is part of that bigger picture," says Te Ao.

This includes the landmark exhibition of Maori artwork Toi Tū Toi Ora which arrived at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki back in 2020.

Matarau, meanwhile, will include large-scale works exploring a variety of themes from politics and economic mobility, to the environment, whakapapa and love. It's accompanied by Tai Timu! Tai Pari! The Tide Ebbs, the Tide Flows: a collection of film and video curated by Te Ao responding to indigenous histories and exploring issues like language revitalisation, the commodification of natural resources, indigenous representation and queer narratives. Tai Timu! Tai Pari! will be screened in the gallery auditorium.

Matarau and Tai Timu! Tai Pari! can be seen at City Gallery Wellington from Saturday, April 30 until Sunday, August 14, 2022.

Shannon Te Ao