I was chuffed to be invited to Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand earlier this year to taa moko alongside some outstanding artists and culture experts.
With some of my whanau at Te Papa.
Kaupapa
Checking out some of the mahi whakairo (carving).
Recent tattoo convention and artist waananga in Tauranga
Earlier in March I was grateful to attend a week long waananga for moko artists in Tauranga, followed by the weekend-long Tauranga Tattoo Extravaganza - two awesome events with amazing artists to work alongside. Thanks to everyone that got tattooed by me in Tauranga recently.
I loved making new friends with some new indigenous tattooers that I hadn’t met before, from Canada, Greenland, Tahiti and The States. It was also awesome to collaboratively work on some new paintings with some of these international artists, all cultural art revivalists in their own respective parts of the world.
Big thanks to everyone involved in making these two events, amazing kaupapa to be involved with.
Indigenous Greenland Inuit Inuk artist contributing to one of my collaborative canvases at our waananga.
Getting tattooed by my whanaunga at our artists waananga.
With my new friend, Inuit Inuk Tattoo Revivalist from Greenland.
With First Nation sisters from California region.
With some of our taa moko tatau artist crew.
A Māori Art Salon with 3 female moko artists in Ōtaki
On 21st March we had an awesome intimate Art Salon event at Ōtaki Beach at May 15 Tattoo Studio.
I was thrilled to collaborate with two of my besties, amazing artists Lorna Tawhiti and Pip Hartley.
We had artist talks, Q + A, a live music and poetry performance, a pop up art exhibition, snacks and drinks and it was fun evening!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT PURCHASED TICKETS, CAME ALONG, ASKED QUESTIONS AND JOINED US AT THIS SPECIAL EVENT.
This Māori Art Salon was in association with Karanga Ink, May 15 Tattoo and Toi Tangata International Māori Art Gallery.
UPCOMING COLLABORATIVE ART SALON DESTINATIONS INCLUDE LONDON IN AUGUST AND MANDURAH, PERTH IN DECEMBER 2019.
My recent trip to Mo'orea, French Polynesia, to attend the Traditional Tatau Festival 2018
in Events, Kaupapa, Māori Art, Travel Stories
I recently traveled to Tahiti and Mo’orea with a group of 30 other Māori artists and cultural practitioners from Aotearoa, New Zealand. I was thrilled to be invited and to work alongside so many amazing artists. We had an amazing time and the local manaakitanga was beautiful, I was so grateful to meet and connect with so many locals.
I love the local people and whenua and am looking to returning to French Polynesia in future.
I was super inspired by the Tahitian style of tattooing that I saw there, and I was so impressed by so many of the local artists who do brilliant work.
Returning to Tahiti this 12-19 September for the 'Tatau i Mo'orea Festival' wahoooo!
in Events, Kaupapa, Travel Stories, Tā Moko
I visited Tahiti for the first time in February 2016.
I will be in French Polynesia again this 12-19 September 2018, to participate in the cultural tatau festival happening on Mo'orea. I will be traveling with a group of approximately 30 different multi talented artists and cultural practitioners from Aotearoa and i'm really looking forward to it!
I'm also looking forward to getting tattooed myself at this festival!
For all Mo'orea bookings please complete the booking form: HERE.
Moko kauae in Hamilton this winter
I was thrilled to recently be invited to Hamilton to do this moko kauae in the home of the recipient, surrounded by a good 80+ whānau members and friends.
With the lady of the day, and Benita Tahuri on the left.
With Benita Tahuri and my partner Jerome Kavanagh.
Very grateful to have been gifted this book on the trip.
Toi Wāhine presents a Matariki exhibition featuring 25 Wahine Māori artists from the Porirua / Wellington area and beyond!
Nau mai haere mai ki te tautoko tenei kaupapa!
Awhina Tamarapa, Xoe Hall, Rangimarie Sophie Jolley, and Kaea Graham.
Phase two of Toi Wāhine: 6th Jan - 25th Feb 2016
What initially started as a one-off, three week exhibition of seven Māori women artists has grown and multiplied into something far greater and more awesome! The Toi Wāhine Collective has been very fortunate to be able to continue to occupy our HQ space at 10 Hartham Place, Porirua.
We opened our second exhibition on 6th January with an intimate gathering, and this time around we had several new guest artists join the fold. Included in the second round of Toi Wāhine, alongside our initial seven founding members were artists:
Robyn Kahukiwa
Alison Waru
Jess Potiki
Kaea Graham
Awhina Tamarapa
Pip Hartley
Stevei Houkamau
Kui Topia
Hayley Galo
Maxine Montgomery
The Toi Wāhine Collective is very grateful to have the support of these outstanding Māori Women Artists and to include the work of these women into our ever-evolving and expanding art project.
Tomorrow (26th Feb) will see phase three of Toi Wāhine born, with new works being hung, and more new artists contributing to our kaupapa.
18 year old artist Kaea Graham hanging works for phase two of Toi Wāhine.
My new fashion project launched during phase two of Toi Wāhine.
Founding member Sian Montgomery-Neutze and some of our tamariki practicing their kirituhi skills at the space.
A sold work by Robyn Kahukiwa, whom we are over the moon to have involved in our project.
Work by Robyn Kahukiwa for the childrens book 'The Blue Book and Other Stories' written by Rangimarie Sophie Jolley and illustrated by Robyn. You can order one of these books at Toi Wāhine HQ.
Work by Jess Potiki included in phase two.
Detail of painting by Sian Montgomery-Neutze.
Me and guest moko artist Pip Hartley of Tuwharetoa outside the space.
Tamariki of Toi Wāhine, Niwareka and Maahaki.
Detail of painting by Alison Waru from the East Coast.
My new fashion project launched at the space during phase two.
My new fashion project launched at the space during phase two.
Kaea Graham getting her painting ready to hang for phase two.
Me with a lovely moko client during phase two.
New notebooks I launched during phase two.
My new fashion project launched during phase two.
Me with Ngāti Toa whānau that came to Toi Wāhine HQ for tā moko during phase two.
A new style i've started experimenting with during phase two.
New painting by founding member Pikihuia Haenga-Carkeek.
We were thrilled to host guest moko artist Pip Hartley at the space for a few days visiting from Karanga Ink in Auckland.
Guest moko artist Pip Hartley working on a painting at the space.
The ever evolving front of HQ during phase two.
Freehand draw up before the tattooing process begins on one of my clients during phase two.
Moko artist Sian Montgomery-Neutze tattooing clay artist Stevei Houkamau.
New sets of small art prints I launched during phase two.
New work by Pikihuia Haenga-Carkeek that always makes people laugh when they come in.
Moko artist Sian Montgomery-Neutze putting in work at the space.
Work by Robyn Kahukiwa at Toi Wāhine HQ.
Work I completed at TWHQ for a New Zealand woman currently working as a lawyer in Cayman Islands.
Our signage is always changing like we are.
Original painting by Robyn Kahukiwa at Toi Wāhine HQ.
Our youngest artist Kaea Graham putting in work at our most recent art making waananga.
Our most recent art making waananga in the space.
Our most recent art making waananga at the space.
Our most recent art making waananga at the space.
My shoes adorned by Kaea Graham at our most recent art making waananga.
Kaea Graham putting in work at our most recent art making waananga.
'Ka puu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi' youth art exhibition hosted by the Toi Waahine Collective
in Events, Exhibitions, Kaupapa
Kia ora!
We the ladies of Toi Waahine Collective are pleased to announce our next kaupapa - a youth art exhibition open to all children in New Zealand aged 5-18 years old. This is a great opportunity for budding young artists to have the experience of being part of a real art exhibition at a real exhibition space that the public are able to visit.
Email taryn.teuira@gmail.com for an entry form or collect a hardcopy from Toi Waahine HQ at 10 Hartham Place, Porirua. All completed artworks should be delivered to 10 Hartham Place, Porirua by Friday 11th March, ready to hang.
Customized footwear workshop by Miriama Grace-Smith. Check out more of Miriama's work here.
The first round of community art workshops at Toi Wāhine HQ, 10 Hartham Place, Porirua
Storytelling workshop with writer Sophie Jolley who has recently published a children's book in collaboration with artist Robyn Kahukiwa.
Mural painting workshop ran by Xoe Hall and Sian Montgomery-Neutze.
Reflecting on the opening of Toi Wāhine 2015 at 10 Hartham Pl, Porirua
On 2nd December myself and six other female Māori artists affiliated to the Porirua area (Xoe Hall, Pikihuia Carkeek-Haenga, Sophie Jolley, Miriama Grace-Smith, Sian Montgomery-Neutze, Keri-Mei Zagrobelna) had our exhibition opening for Toi Wāhine 2015 at 10 Hartham Place in Porirua.
Thanks to Urban Dream Brokerage who helped us to obtain the awesome space to have our show in. Thank you to everyone that came along to the opening event and made it such a special night!
Here are some photos from Toi Wāhine 2015 which ran for three weeks from 2nd - 22nd December 2015.
Upcoming community workshops at Toi Wāhine 2015 HQ, 10 Hartham Place, Porirua
The exhibition Toi Wāhine 2015 that I am a part of alongside Xoe Hall, Sian Montgomery-Neutze, Miriama Grace-Smith, Pikihuia Haenga-Carkeek, Keri-mei Zagrobelna and Rangimarie Sophie Jolley, is on now until 22nd December 2015. So far it has been an amazing journey and I have been relishing every minute of the synergy and collaborative energy that comes from working in a group of like minded people.
We have several community events and workshops coming up soon. Here are two of them - mural painting workshop on Saturday 12th December and customised footwear workshop on Sunday 20th December.
I hope you can make it along to have some fun and share some time with our group of artists!
Mauriora,
Taryn
Come check out the Conscious Roots Festival in Plimmerton 28th-29th November 2015
I am stoked to be tattooing at the Conscious Roots Festival due to be held at Hongoeka Marae, Plimmerton on 28th-29th November 2015.
From the Conscious Roots Festival website:
"A generation ago, whānau shared kai as a means of connection and empowerment, threading lives, whakapapa and community together through the exchange of food, traditional practice and stories.
In this day and age, much of the old ways have been replaced with convenience, entertainment and consumerism. But things are changing..
On the fringes of our communities, there are small groups of whānau who are practicing the ways of their tipuna. They are replanting the seeds of traditional practice, sustainability, hauora and self determination.
The Conscious Roots Festival brings gardeners, healers, whānau and kaumātua together to celebrate and strengthen our connection to Papatuanuku and each other. There will be music, stories, creativity, film, workshops, dance, rongoā, karetao, mirimiri, fire, hangi, and laughter in the spirit of community."
Come on down and check it out!
Toi Wāhine 2015: a pop up exhibition of 7 female artists coming soon to Porirua!
Sian Montgomery-Neutze, Rangimarie Sophie Jolley, Taryn Beri, Miriama Grace-Smith, Xoe Hall, and Pikihuia Haenga-Carkeek at our first wānanga together in preparation for the exhibition. Our jewellery artist Keri-Mei Zagrobelna was in Europe when we took this photo but she will be back in December in time for our exhibition opening!
Due to open on 2nd December in Hartham Place, Porirua, this exhibition is set to be a diverse, unpredictable and exciting mix of seven young Māori female artists. Included in Toi Wāhine 2015 are female painters, moko artists, a writer, a jewellery designer and a film maker, all with some kind of affiliation to and affection for Porirua City.
The idea was born from seeing a call for proposals that was put out by Letting Space's service Urban Dream Brokerage, a radical and conscious organisation that makes use of empty and vacant shop spaces, transforming them for a short time into living, breathing, useful community based spaces.
Our exhibition will open on Wednesday 2nd December and run through till Tuesday 22nd December (please mark it in your calendars). Located under the canopies in Porirua by where childrens clothing store 'TnT' used to be! Details of the official opening event are still to come, so if you are interested then please stay posted (join my mailing list).
An exciting programme of events is currently being developed by our group, with each individual artist running a workshop for the public to come along and participate in, learn, share and contribute. Live tā moko will also be happening in the exhibition space throughout the three week period, including moko kauae.
Contributing artists in Toi Wāhine 2015 are:
Xoe Hall (muralist, glitterist and painter)
Sian Montgomery-Neutze (multimedia artist, painter and moko artist)
Miriama Grace-Smith (multimedia artist and fashion designer)
Keri-Mei Zagrobelna (jewellery artist)
Rangimarie Sophie Jolley (writer)
Taryn Beri (multimedia artist, painter and moko artist)
Pikihuia Haenga-Carkeek (experimental film maker)
So far our group has had two wānanga, sharing ideas and making art together, with more wānanga scheduled to come in the lead up to the opening of the exhibition.
Sian Montgomery-Neutze at our first wānanga toi.
Miriama Grace-Smith at our first wānanga toi.
Rangimarie Sophie Jolley at our first wānanga toi.
Xoe Hall at our first wānanga toi.
We will have interactive installations, paintings and prints for sale, community workshops, live tā moko happening onsite and lots of other fun and awesome things happening over the three weeks - more details to come.
I hope you can make it along to check it out, participate and support the kaupapa!
Mauriora,
Taryn Beri
I worked on my cousin Hepa's moko peha at Mahara Gallery for the exhibition opening weekend. On the wall behind us is my latest painting, 'Te Āhuru Mōwai'.
Taking tā moko tattooing into fine art galleries
Last weekend I attended the opening of 'He Toi Reikorangi: Te Ātiawa artists celebrate Matariki' at Mahara Gallery in Waikanae, on the Kapiti Coast of the Wellington region (New Zealand). It was super exciting and hundrends of people showed up to celebrate and show their support for the exhibition, including some of the best Māori artists in the world. For the duration of the opening weekend, Mahara Gallery invited myself, Rangi Kipa and Mitchell Hughes to showcase our tā moko expertise.
The fact that this exhibition opening was in Waikanae was personally significant to me, because my grandmother spent a lot of her life growing up in Waikanae, and her grandfather Wi Parata was a well known leader of the area and one of the biggest landowners - in fact Waikanae was once known as 'Parata Town'.
Iwi exhibitions are one of my favorite types of exhibitions because they reinforce and strengthen the whakapapa/genealogical bonds between the artists and the people of the iwi they belong to. Iwi exhibitions are a positive and uplifting community kaupapa that bring people together, showcasing the artistic excellence and skills amongst that particular tribe - I think that in itself, is an inspiring and empowering outcome.
A section of the moko peha that I worked on at Mahara Gallery during the exhibition opening weekend.
My eight year old apprentice, Ria Te Uira, stretching skin at Mahara Gallery.
My niece Ria Te Uira is a great little apprentice.
One of the reasons that I love to bring tā moko into art galleries is that it exposes and opens up the art form and cultural practice, to an entirely different audience, an audience that may not ever have the chance to see tā moko happening in real life, in any other situation. The potential for engagement with the public is great in an art gallery setting, and I enjoy answering the many and varied questions that people come up with. Having tā moko artists working in an art gallery space is magnetic, cutting edge, and a rare opportunity for gallery viewers to witness the tā moko process.
Another reason that I enjoy bringing tā moko into art gallery (and museum) settings is because I believe that all of our Māori art forms are inter-related and connected. Our various different art forms are at their strongest when put together and combined, contrasted against each other, complimenting one another, feeding into, informing and in conversation with one another. A decorated wharenui is a prime example of this, as is kapa haka where you see many of our art forms in relationship together at once.
The idea of inter-related art forms is part of the reason why I love collaborating and working alongside other artists, that use different mediums to me. It is also why I am currently enjoying the use of taonga puoro by Jerome Kavanagh, to compliment my tā moko process.
Tohunga tā moko, Rangi Kipa was also tattooing at Mahara Gallery for the exhibition opening weekend, as was moko artist Mitchell Hughes.
An outstanding modern work by master artist, Rangi Kipa.
Inspiring tukutuku work in the exhibition by my whanaunga, expert weaver Kohai Grace.
Photographic portraits in the exhibition featuring Te Ātiawa women and their moko kauae, by Heloise Bergman.
Whakairo in the exhibition by my whanaunga, Rakairoa Hori.
Painting in the exhibition by one of my favorite contemporary Māori painters, Darcy Nicholas.
Outstanding hue by expert weaver, Veranoa Hetet.
I love this work by Tracey Morgan using seaweed and tāniko.
I have two prints on show in the exhibition, 'Manu Ariki' and 'Hine Ariki'. The kete shown in the foreground are by Snooks Forster.
My painting 'Te Āhuru Mōwai' currently at Mahara Gallery. This painting refers to a 'cosy haven' inside the womb of a woman, the home of a baby growing, the amniotic fluid and the dna / ancestral material that makes up the baby and who the baby is / will become.
The photos of art work shown in this article are just a snapshot of the full exhibition and there are many more awesome and innovative works on show until 12th July 2015, so go and see for yourself!
Moko kauae: a sneak peek
I recently spent about a week tattooing in Taihape at Winiata Marae. In general I mostly prefer to stay within my own rohe, and work within areas that I have some whakapapa link or affiliation to (except when I am overseas) - that's just how I prefer to roll whenever possible. However since my partner invited me to work in his rohe at his marae, I was more than happy to pack up my gear and head to Taihape. Furthermore, marae are one of my absolute favorite places to work, along with galleries and museums, so I jumped at the chance to work inside the whare there. As it happened, I did discover a link between my extended whānau and the whānau at Winiata Marae.
It was snowing and really freezing cold the week that we were there, as you can tell by my attire! It's hard to stay fashionable when you are so cold!
Whilst in Taihape I had the pleasure and privilege of tattooing a moko kauae for a local kuia. For me, moko kauae is the epitome of my tā moko practice and it is my favorite type of moko to do. Moko kauae has always been a strong motivating force for me and a large part of why I got into, and have stuck at tā moko. I want to see more and more wāhine Māori take on and wear their moko kauae with pride, strength and dignity - particularly within my own whānau, hapū and iwi.
Some friends of mine at Kikorua Films came and stayed with us for part of our trip and made a little film clip and took some photos. I think they did a great job of capturing the essence of the environment we were working in, and the mahi that we did there.
Moko kauae is a very special and important kaupapa. If you would like to talk me about getting your own moko kauae done, please email me on taryn.teuira@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading!
One of my first experiences of teaching.
Work with me: Matariki Māori star art workshop for educators and tamariki
An example of the activity I teach in the workshop.
I recently had the opportunity to teach some teachers a Māori art activity that I created for Matariki, based on contemporary whetū/star designs. I have always had a personal interest in stars and the activity grew organically from my own art practice where I started creating round kōwhaiwhai style star designs that I wanted to tattoo on people. Fortunately for me, an organization called Ruapehu Rural Education Programme, offered me the chance to deliver this art drawing activity as a workshop for its educators to come and learn, and to then takeaway and share with the children that they work with. It was super exciting to have the chance to work in the sphere of education, and I would love to do more work like this.
My desire to teach, share and be involved with children and young people has been increasing more and more over the years, and I have a true and passionate interest in education through the arts. I really believe that the arts are a powerful vehicle for instilling confidence in children, helping them to grow their own voices, assisting them to become powerful communicators, and aiding them in finding, exploring and expressing their own unique identities. I believe that the arts have a myriad of benefits for children and all of humanity, and I am currently investing more time, effort and research into learning more about education through the arts. Here's another article I wrote about my recent experience with Māori Art based education.
One of the workshop participants children came in after school and had a go at the activity.
An early childhood teacher from Ireland practicing the activity so she can share it with the tamariki that she works with.
Doing the activity myself while the workshop participants worked on their own star designs.
One of the workshop participants sussing out the technique so she can share it with the tamariki that she works with.
If you are interested in me coming to share this fun and educational, hands on and practical Māori star art workshop (perfect for Matariki) with your organization or group of people, please fill out the enquiry form below.
Guiding tamariki at my marae to paint their own mural.
Tattooer turned teacher? Why I love working with kids!
The designs used in the mural all had direct relevance to the children, who they are, who they have descended from and the overall message and kaupapa of the work.
I've recently been having more and more opportunities to work with tamariki and rangatahi, involving them in my work and sharing my passion for Māori Art and Tā Moko with them. Working in the educational sphere has already taught me so much and added so much value to my art practice and my life - teaching and sharing what I love is hugely rewarding!
There are several reasons why I love working with young people and why I think it is important.
Personally I feel that all creative activities have a multitude of benefits for human beings, and in particular children - the seeds of our future. Having an outlet and means of expression is healthy, healing and therapeutic. The arts have the ability to bring out the best in people, to bring us together, to connect and unite. The arts are a vehicle for teaching team work and creative collaboration with one another. Through the arts we can learn the power of focus, and the value of determination, commitment, persistence, practice, patience, and observation.
Cultural arts can connect children with who they are, their unique identities, who they have come from, their ancestry and the rich and vast culture and visual language that has been laid out before them by our ancestors. Cultural arts can be a vehicle for teaching both the importance of maintaining tradition, and also the value of innovation and evolution.
Cultural arts can also serve as a connecting point across cultures, bringing people of all different world views together - it can be a vehicle for cultural exchange and fostering respect between different people from all around the world. To me, empathising, understanding, seeing value in, and having an appreciation and interest in other cultures outside of ones own, is good for our kids.
Many Māori children are naturally artistically talented and inclined and I believe in encouraging, fostering and cultivating this to its fullest potential.
I believe that Māori Art is a viable career pathway for some of our rangatahi and I want to help them achieve their dreams and goals and show that it is possible to be a successful Māori Artist, to not only survive from art but to thrive as well. I feel that the arts are an even playing field (provided you work hard and put in the hours) - for the kids that may not be good at sports, or maths, or English, or whatever the case may be, the arts can provide an opportunity for them to excel at something and to experience a feeling of success, accomplishment and achievement within themselves. There are many success stories of Māori Artists excelling in their chosen fields both within Aotearoa and internationally - and for the children that have their heart in their art, I want to help them excel and succeed.
A big thank you to my whanaunga Ash who co-facilitated this educational workshop, without Ash's contribution this workshop wouldn't have been possible.
If you would like me to come and work with your school, museum, gallery, organization or marae, just email me on taryn.teuira@gmail.com with details of what you would like to achieve, your budget, and some information about the group that you'd like me to work with. I'm currently working on developing a series of workshops - stay posted.
Tattooing one of my relations at Hongoeka Marae.
How to prepare for your tā moko booking with me
I’ve written this quick reference to help guide you in the process of preparing for your tā moko booking with me. The following process has arisen from my experience and each step is there for good reason. For optimum results, prepare yourself in the optimum manner. You are worth it, your moko is worth it, and my time is worth it.
1. Have a good nights sleep the night before. Don’t go out. Don’t drink or drug the night before (and don’t come to me on the day of your booking under the influence – I won’t tattoo you and you’ll have to come back another day.)
2. Eat a good breakfast the morning of your booking. I don’t want you getting light headed on me. Food will give you strength, stamina and endurance.
3. Be clear on what you want your moko to represent. Think about. Sleep on it. What do you really really really want your moko to represent for you? What do you feel in your bones? What do you know to be true for you? Talk to your whānau about it if you want to – but ultimately YOU need to know what you want.
4. Think about WHY you want your tā moko. The clearer you are in your own mind, heart, soul, body and spirit, the better the final outcome will be for us both. Write it down for yourself if this helps you clarify your thoughts - however ultimately you will need to communicate this to me face to face at the time of your booking.
Please note that I do not tattoo designs drawn by other people. Allow me to do my job and design for you, your own custom unique one off piece.
Thanks for reading!
Mauriora!
Te Uira Moko: Manifesto
Moko is alive and ever evolving. Moko links us to the past and to the future. Moko is a gift from the gods.
Moko is a taonga from our ancestors. Moko is about whakapapa. Moko is about dna. Moko is both a privilege and a birthright too. Moko tells a story. Moko beautifies. Moko heals.
Moko transforms. Moko is both an art form and a cultural practice. Moko is for men and women. Moko is uniquely and exclusively Māori. Moko is about genealogy.
Moko is about pride. Moko is about claiming your identity and standing in your power as a human being. Moko is about whānau, hapū and iwi.
Moko is about belonging. Moko is about contributing to your community.
Moko is about consciously choosing to walk a good path in life. Moko is about being the best person that you can be. Moko is both ancient and modern, traditional and contemporary.
Moko is about caring for others, especially those smaller or more vulnerable than you. Moko is about facing and dealing to your demons, your fear, your pain and your past wrong doings. Moko is about living your life peacefully.
Moko is about being true to yourself. Moko is a way of honoring your ancestors whom you have come from, and leaving a legacy for your descendants. Moko is a blueprint.