Te Kōpuni Kura: Collected Treasures of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Te Kōpuni Kura is the name of the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa art collection. The name reflects what the collection is – “kōpuni” a group or body of “kura” treasures. First initiated in the late 1980’s through the acquisition of tauira (students) and kaiako (tutors) artworks, Te Kōpuni Kura now consists of over 1000 artworks, displayed across multiple sites, representing the rich history and unique character of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Drawing from Te Kōpuni Kura, the works selected for this exhibition represent ringa toi (artists) who have helped to shape, establish and deliver Toi Māori (Māori art) programmes at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa over the past 35 years. Collectively representing the calibre of knowledge, expertise and leadership that have been instrumental in the development of this unique pathway of Māori art education, and act as treasured reminders of this history.
Tukua te toi, kia tupu te toi, kia whanake te toi ki te ao, hei hiringa whakaaro mō te katoa.
Let the arts grow and develop in the world, to be an inspiration for all.
On show from 20th September 2020
Te Ohanga Ake is a PHD exegesis exhibition describing visually, intergenerational knowledge exchange through Māori fibre arts.
Te Kanawa, based in Te Kuiti, acknowledges her mother Diggeress Te Kanawa and her kia, Rangimarie Hetet as her primary sources of knowledge and innovation. Te Kanawa remembers on of her mum’s says that epitomises her weaving process. “Mum always said this to our whānau…”
“Tō tātou waka, ko te rangimārie, te hoe o runga, te puna o te aroha e!”
“Our waka is the waka of peace, the paddle that propels us forward is the source of love from above!”
Te Ohonga Ake is an exquisite collection of kete, kākahu, pot, whāriki, tīpare, tukutuku, piupiu and kono, created between 1970 and today. The extensive grouping of taonga on display accentuates Te Kanawa’s development of her own creative processes and innovations.
The highlight within the collection of work is Te Kanawa’s personal challenge to re-create a pūkoro based on a taonga from the Otago Museum Collection.
“This was something that caught my eye. I was drawn not only to its weave and use, but I wanted to disparage its description given by an early European who tossed it aside as a rag!”
In addition to Te Kanawa’s own work, she has included some beautiful taonga created by her mother, grandmother and great grandmother, some of which they worked on together as a whānau.
“Mum and Nana, always said to me as we were working together – let your mahi speak for you”
This exhibition does just that. It shares the exchange that happens between whānau members when working in and sharing the intricacies of traditional art forms and processes. Mauri ora!
Whatu Manawa
Celebrating the Weaving of Matekino Lawless
This exhibition showcases signatures works, chosen from a comprehensive collection of kete dating from the 1980s to the present, along side kakahu and whariki.
This is the first solo presentation of weaving by renowned weaver Matekino Lawless (Tainui), who celebrated her 90th birthday in February 2018.
She has gained a number of awards including the QSM, Creative NZ: Te Waka Toi: Kingi Ihaka Art Award and most recently was made a Fellow of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
This is the first time this exhibition has been displayed in the Waikato, and will be showcased alongside Uenuku in our Tangata Whenua Gallery.
The exhibition is only here for a limited time, don’t miss out!
Developed and toured by: Tauranga Art Gallery: http://www.artgallery.org.nz
Principal Exhibition Partner: Holland Beckett Law: http://www.hobec.co.nz
10th May – 19th October 2019
Back by popular demand!
Explore the special relationship we have with dogs in all aspects of life! It is amazing how man’s best friend has been part of our lives throughout history.
Do you have a great working dog on your farm, a much loved furry family friend, foster pups looking for their furever homes or support the wonderful work assistance dogs do? Come along and share all your favourite dog stories and photos!
Open from January 24th 2019
Something blooming wonderful is here!
Don’t miss this beautiful blooming exhibition by David Lupton, who has been photographing pressed flowers for the past six years, constant experimenting and refining his craft. This comes with some amazing and interactive public programs from photography lessons with David to pressed flower making.
A touring exhibition propagated by: HauNui Press and in association with Earle Creativity Trust.
Follow this link for the associated workshops here
Open from September 29th 2018
The Open Artist Studio Project
Te Awamutu Museum has developed a unique opportunity for artists to work with their collection. The Open Artist Studio project offers an artist the opportunity to set up a working studio in one of the Museum galleries and be on site to share their expertise, creative process and market work based on the Museum collection to visitors.
The Open Artist Studio project has three main objectives – collaborate with the Museum to develop a theme in response to objects in the collection; exhibit existing, evolving and new work based on that theme; and present a range of interactive programmes.
“We have an amazing collection full of distinctive taonga Māori and European curios imbued with the social development of the district. Our aim is to inspire creative work and programmes that engage visitors in the districts rich history and culture”, says Henriata Nicholas, Exhibitions Coordinator at the Te Awamutu Museum.
The first Open Artist Studio was opened 21st June in celebration of Matariki 2018. Oriwa Morgan-Ward, a Ngāti Maniapoto artist is the first to take up the challenge. Oriwa has worked for the past three years with the Te Awamutu Museum and the Waipa District Council delivering creative waste minimisation and Māori art programmes for all ages. Her exhibition on show, Pā Harakeke is described as intergenerational learning utilizing traditional knowledge of raranga, whatu korowai, kete and tukutuku, to reflect whānau as ‘te ara wairua’ the spiritual pathway of connection to Papatūānuku.
Pā Harakeke is a multi-layered theme developed in response to taonga Māori in the Museum collection, some of which are on show in various galleries in the Museum. This helps visitors understand the connection between traditional cultural techniques and contemporary manufactured works on show.
“Uenuku is a big part of me connecting back home and following my passion in the arts. I see the Open Artist Studio Project as a way to inspire my work and encourage whānau, hāpū and iwi to engage with not only my mahi but also our taonga in the Museum and the staff who awhi and tautoko them”, says Oriwa.
Visitors have responded positively to Open Artist Studio project and highlight having the artist in the gallery sharing their creative process and connecting the theme with collection objects on show as a great idea encouraging repeat visitation.
“We are really excited to be working with Oriwa who is such a positive and creative activator for Māori arts in the Waikato. Her chosen theme relates to several taonga Māori in the collection that are on show in galleries through out the Museum, along with a special installation in the courtyard to highlight Matariki – Māori New Year. Oriwa has developed a highly successful series of Matariki programmes delivered for July school holidays and has also worked in with our LEOTC education officer to present waste minimisation workshops ” says Ms Nicholas.
Come in and experience Pā Harakeke running from 21st June – 22nd September 2018. Check out our website for Museum opening times.
