This limited edition run of 50 limited edition A3 art prints have now sold out.
Thank you to everyone that purchased one!
'Manu Ariki' limited edition signed art prints.
My first solo exhibition 'Purapura Whetū' opens on 13th July in Perth, Australia
Having my own solo show has been on my mind for the past couple of years, so I am thrilled to finally be doing it next month in Perth, Australia! More details about the opening event on 13th July 2017 will be coming soon.
As the exhibition will be showing for a long time (three months) I am also planning on having at least one other special event in the exhibition space at a later date, after the opening. These special events will most likely include live spoken word poetry readings and taonga puoro sound experiences, among other awesome stuff I am yet to cook up!
Big gratitude goes out to Dawn and John at The Sound Temple! The venue is truly beautiful and unique and I am honoured to be hanging my work in the space for three months!
If you are in the Perth area I hope that you are able to get along and check it out with your friends and whānau!
New original paintings to be exhibited at Karanga Ink in Auckland this month
Painting in Bali, Indonesia.
Two of my new original paintings will be exhibited at Karanga Ink this month in the upcoming exhibition 'Whitu ngā whetū' in celebration of Puanga/Matariki season.
I am thrilled to be invited to exhibit alongside some amazing artist whom I admire greatly.
If you are in Auckland, go and check out the exhibition on 26th June - 2nd July 2017.
A Māori Art + Music Salon in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
On May 30th, 2017 I was thrilled to be involved in a Māori Art + Music Salon in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, alongside some of my favourite artists and cultural practitioners, Julie Paama-Pengelly, Pip Hartley and Jerome Kavanagh.
Thanks to Manifacto Amsterdam for hosting us, it was a fun night!
More info about the event can be found over on the Toi Tangata Māori Art Gallery page, here.
Traditional Tattoo & World Culture Festival: Palma de Mallorca (Spain) we're coming for you!
in Events, Travel Stories
Looking forward to attending the Traditional Tattoo & World Culture Festival at Palma de Mallorca (an island off Spain). I will be attending this awesome event with a roopu of about 12 other Māori tā moko artists, mirimiri + rongoa experts, a taonga puoro expert and a pounamu carving expert.
After this 8 day event our group will then be travelling to Amsterdam in The Netherlands to work at a convention there, and some of us will also be running an exciting Māori Art + Music Salon in Amsterdam. You can buy tickets for this private and intimate evening event in Amsterdam, here.
A Polynesian in Indonesia, my first trip to Bali, Island of the Gods
In November 2016 I spent three weeks with my partner in Bali, a place I have been wanting to visit for a long time! I really loved it there and hope to spend a lot more time there over the coming years. Their wood carving and stone carving is amazing. I especially loved Ubud and Amed. It was awesome getting to buy some local art materials (all kinds of gold pigments) and having the chance to do some painting while I was there. We met some really awesome people.
I also found it interesting how some Te Reo Māori words were the same or similar in Indonesian/Balinese.
Exhibiting at Tāneatua Gallery and meeting Tame Iti + a new poem
In February 2017 I traveled to Tāneatua Gallery with the Toi Wāhine Collective to exhibit some of my digital works and paintings. I also gave a spoken word poetry performance in the gallery - my first time doing anything like that. It was great to meet Tame Iti and Trina who run this awesome community based space. If you are ever in the area I highly recommend that you visit Tāneatua Gallery.
Here is a poem that I wrote in reflection AFTER my time at Tāneatua Gallery, which I then performed at Pātaka Museum + Art on Waitangi Day 2017.
Talking decolonisation
Talking no discrimination
Talking sovereignty
With Tame Iti
When I was his manuhiri
At the dope ass Tāneatua Gallery
Where it's all about the community
The community
Took a cruise down to the valley
In Ruatoki
Talking sovereignty
What does it mean to me?
It means the right to be free
It means possessing the key
To my own front door
Hey we deserve more
Time to get off the floor
And lift up the poor
We deserve more
When the Toi Wāhine Crew
Come though
Bringing the new
Yo we do the do
Coz talk is cheap
And whining is weak
Who got the guts to really speak
To the issue
Bullying psychophants hear me diss you
When I put on display
My art from the heart
I cause disarray
Nerves they will fray
And haters gon pay
Come what may
You heard me say!
It's an indigenous uprising
And it's not surprising
That when we come together
Coz we so very clever
Native nation to nation
In the spirit of collaboration
And innovation
Motivation
Lets save the nation
Oh the anticipation
Of this new proclamation
It's an indigenous evolution
Revolution
Around the world
Racist haters can get twirled
Like Beyonce said
When she killed them all dead
With her 'black lives matter'
Time to reduce the chatter
Call me a mad hatter
While the rich get fatter
Time to flip the script
Improve the derelict
Change negative into positive
Time to do that for our kids
Me and my neonatives we come quick
To the mark
Straight to the heart
Can't tear us apart
When we stand united
Can't be divided
Indigenous people around the world
We will be heard
Return of the bird
This is my word
Indigenous people we will be heard
Won't be deterred
A new paradigm
Is about to be birthed
Time for us to come first
Because oppression is the worst
In all of it's forms
Time to smash all of the norms
Don't ever ask me to conform
Make you wish you weren't born
We gonna rewrite all of those laws
That came from foreign shores
Get ya dirty paws
Off my art and culture
These fucken vultures
The dawn of a new era
Is getting clearer
Decolonise your mind
One thought at a time
One of my digital works in the exhibition.
A digital installation I made for this exhibition, with help from my friend Sian.
Two of my paintings in this exhibition.
Tahiti was magical, my first time visiting French Polynesia + a new poem
In February 2017 my partner and I spent a magical week in Tahiti. Visiting Taputapuatea and Raiatea was a real highlight and special moment in time for me. Catching up with a friend who is a leading Tahitian tatau specialist was enlightening and fun too, and I learned a lot! I hope to spend more time exploring French Polynesia in future.
Here's a poem that I wrote when I was in Tahiti, inspired by what I saw, felt, learned and experienced there.
Niu life
The foundation
Lay it right
And your life will flourish
This land does nourish
Everything it touches
Coconut bread
Coconut milk
Coconut flesh
Coconut candy floss
Nature is the boss
Magical plants
Fish in the spring
I can hear the tūpuna sing
Spring water
In it, I have a shower
This land has power
Burn the fire all day long
In paradise
Oh it's so nice
I can't complain
I don't complain
You shouldn't complain either
Tama tū tama ora
Work and sweat in the heat of the day
This way of life is a good way
Go to bed when the sun goes down
Wake up with the sunrise
And listen to the birds cries
We have everything we need here
This rangatira told me
Not ariki
But rangatira
With dirt on his hands and machete
We need very little money
The fenua provides all the food you need
And a house for you and your family
What more could you want?
When you're living in paradise
Nature people
Nature man
He has a GOOD plan
To live off the land
He's planting his trees
Pulling the weeds
And saving his fees
From the tatau of the tūpuna he sees
I see them too
Everything we need is right here
In this land
In these trees
Rebel against the system
Save your money so you can be independent
And free
Don't be greedy
Time goes so slow
No stress
Taro ice-cream and banana pie
How many different varieties of bananas?
And mangoes?
What day is it?
How long have we been here?
Doesn't matter
All that matters is what kind of food shall we gather
And prepare together
With these grateful hands
For our next meal?
I can climb this maunga like my tūpuna before me
If they can do it, so can I
And so we did
'Kaitiakitanga' by Taryn Beri. Wai (water) and manu (bird) designs feature in this artwork about the importance of caring for our natural environment. We must all be kaitiaki (guardians) of the earth, water and entire natural world if it is to continue to support life as we know it. The manu (bird) designs in this artwork can also symbolically represent significant kaitiaki (guardians) for the owner/viewer of the work. Click on the image to buy your own 'Kaitiakitanga' canvas.
2017 art calendars SOLD OUT, THANK YOU!
Thanks to everyone that purchased a 2017 calendar! They are now all sold out. Mauriora!
'Sovereign' limited edition art prints now SOLD OUT
Limited edition of 10 signed A3 sized art prints featuring the 'Sovereign' design now all sold out.
Thank you to everyone that purchased!
'Do you think you're better than me?' a poem about Māori hating on other Māori
in Poetry
Here's a poem that I wrote some months back after witnessing several instances online of Māori hating on other Māori and ripping each other to shreds over various things in various ways.
To me, we have enough battles outside of Māoridom to fight on a global scale as indigenous people and I do not believe in or support such attitudes and actions of hatred against anyone, let along against ourselves. In my opinion, cases of Māori hating on other Māori only weakens us all as a whole. As the saying goes, 'united we stand, divided we fall'.
'Kaua e whakaiti te tangata'
Do you think you're better than me?
With your university degree
Telling you how to be Māori
Oh the elitist snobbery
Well this is a free country
And this is a contemporary
Generation
One Māori can never represent the entire population
I said this is a contemporary generation
And it's all about participation
Innovation
Not degradation
You think you're so traditional
Victoria Institutional
That's delusional
The judge the jury and the hangman
Who gave you the mana
To whakaiti te tangata?
Your ego seeks to put down
In order to raise yourself up
From the gutter
Go ask your mother
What makes you Māori
She'll tell you
First it's whakapapa
It's whakapapa
It's whakapapa
Got cousins in Australia?
Course you do
How do you think they'd take ya?
Down on your knees
Stuck in jealousy
Pointing the finger
You're not a good Māori!
Aue te puhaehae
In the heart of the one on high
Get down off your pedestal
And peel some fucken potatoes
How deep is your matauranga
When you seek to shame another?
How tika is your tikanga
When you laugh and mock
The one that most needs your manaakitanga?
How tika is your tikanga?
How tika is that tikanga?
What the fuck is that tikanga?
Kaua e whakaiti te tangata
Kei whea tou manaakitanga?
Or were you sick
On the day
They delivered that paper?
The opening of the 'Hine Raumati' exhibition by the Toi Wāhine Collective at Pātaka Art + Museum in Porirua, Wellington
'Hine Raumati' new exhibition opening soon with Toi Wāhine Collective at Pātaka Art + Museum
Looking forward to the exhibition opening of 'Hine Raumati' on 10th December 2016 showing in the Tangerine Room at Pātaka Museum + Art until 24th December 2016.
Featuring works by:
Robyn Kahukiwa
Xoe Hall
Miriama Grace-Smith
Sian Montgomery-Neutze
Sophie Jolley
Pikihuia Haenga
Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Vianney Parata
Paretapu Waru
Kaea Graham
Keri-Mei Zagrobelna
Taryn Beri
Poster design by Xoe Hall.
For more info visit www.toiwahinecollective.com.
New snapback hats coming soon for summer!
I am excited to currently be working on a collection of simple and classic snap back hats due to be available in time for summer 2016/2017! These hats will be custom made to order and will be available exclusively on my website.
UPCOMING DESIGNS INCLUDE:
KUĪNI
NEO NATIVE
SOVEREIGN
DECOLONISE YOUR MIND
ART AS ACTIVISM
INDIGENOUS ARTISTS UNITE
SHOP THE SNAPBACK COLLECTION: HERE!
Our group for the evening. Thanks everyone for coming along!
VIP special evening of Māori Art in Melbourne, Australia!
Special thanks to everyone who came along to the intimate evening of Māori Art that we (myself and fellow moko artists Sian Montgomery-Neutze and Pip Hartley) held in Melbourne, Australia recently.
It was a fun night and we are grateful to everyone that came along to show their support, learn about the artworks that were available for purchase at the event, and to hear our artists talks. We had hoped to have some special guest VIP aboriginal artists in attendance at the event, but unfortunately they couldn't make it. We hope to work more collaboratively with the indigenous people of Australia at future art events like this in Oz.
We plan to run several more collaborative, intimate and informative special events of this nature in future, at different locations around the world!
Big thanks also to Aaron Stevenson who was our photographer for the night, you can check out more of his photography work here.
More info on the event can be found here.
Original paintings for sale on the night by Sian Montgomery-Neutze.
Sian Montgomery-Neutze giving her artist talk.
Sian Montgomery-Neutze giving her artist talk.
Some of the artwork that was for sale on the night.
Some of the artwork that was for sale on the night by Miriama Grace-Smith (on the left) and Xoe Hall (on the right).
Giving my artist talk.
Viewing prints by celebrated Maori artist, Robyn Kahukiwa.
Viewing some of the collection that was available on the night.
Giving my artist talk at the one off special event.
With Melbourne based photographer, Aaron Stevenson.
Some of the contemporary Māori art collection that was available at the special event.
Some of the contemporary Māori art collection that was available at the special event.
Listening to artist talks.
An original drawing by renowned Māori artist Robyn Kahukiwa (above) and small taaniko, leather and toroa feather taonga by Sian Montgomery-Neutze (below).
Artist Pip Hartley with new friends.
Some great discussions were had.
Explaining my interpretation of original works by internationally renowned Māori artist, Robyn Kahukiwa.
Some of the contemporary Māori art collection that was available at the special event.
An original painting by Sian Montgomery-Neutze.
Pip Hartley of Karanga Ink giving her artist talk.
Some of the contemporary Māori art collection that was available at the special event.
Prints by Xoe Hall.
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.
'Tuatea' exhibition opening at Toi Wāhine HQ in Porirua, Wellington
I was thrilled to organize this exhibition alongside the Toi Wāhine Collective at 10 Hartham Place, Porirua, Wellington. Check out our group website here for more info about who we are and what we do. I had three original paintings in this show and it was a privilege to exhibit alongside the following artists:
Robyn Kahukiwa (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti)
Kohai Grace (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Porou)
Elaine Bevan (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa)
Julie Paama-Pengally (Tauranga Moana)
Evelyn Ross (Ngai Tuhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu)
Hayley Galo (Ngāti Toa)
Kaea Graham (Tūwharetoa, Te Rarawa, Taranaki)
Regan Balzer (Te Arawa, Ngāti Ranginui)
Vianney Parata (Ngāti Toa)
Aria Whaanga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rakaipaaka)
Natasha Keating (Tūwharetoa, Ngaio Tuhoe, Te Ati Hau a Paparangi)
Pikihuia Haenga (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou)
Sian Montgomery-Neutze (Muaūpoko, Ngai Tara)
Briar Allen (Muaūpoko, Ngaio Tara)
Taryn Beri (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Ātiawa)
Keri-Mei Zagrobelna (Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Ātiawa)
Miriama Grace-Smith (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou)
Rangimarie Sophie Jolley (Waikato - Tainui)
Xoe Hall (Kai Tahu)
Stevei Houkamau (Ngāti Porou, Rangitāne, Te Whānau a Apanui)
Kui Topia (Ngapuhi)
Paretapu Penetito-Waru (Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngāti Hauā)
Lydia Wihapi (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Maakarita Paku (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Muriwhenua, Lakota Oyate)
Jo Haenga (Ngāti Porou)
This exhibition opened on 23rd June 2016 and will run for six weeks.
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!
Framed version of the sold out limited edition digital art prints.
Sold out art prints! Thanks guys!
Printed in Porirua on silk matt 300gsm heavy paper, 449mm x 319mm in size.
"In a childs eyes, a mother is a goddess, she can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way."
Thanks to everyone that purchased one of these 10 limited edition digital art prints! I really appreciate it! Mauriora!
At Ora Ny Gallery with works by myself and the Toi Wāhine Collective exhibited behind me.
This Māori girl went to New York for the first time...
It was a three part trip - my partner, taonga puoro artist Jerome Kavanagh had a performance at The Lincoln Center to attend, I did a guest spot tattooing at NY Adorned, and I took over a capsule collection of art work to be exhibited at Ora Ny Gallery by the Toi Wāhine Collective. Phew it was an amazing whirlwind two trip and New York was so good to us, and I am so grateful to all of the inspiring conscious people we met over there!
Our Toi Wāhine Collective two day pop up shop at Ora Ny Gallery was off the hook!
I was very grateful to have esteemed contemporary Māori dancers Jack Grey, Louise Potiki Bryant, members of Altamira Dance Crew and their indigenous friends come and perform at our pop up shop on the final evening at the gallery.
Very grateful to New Zealand musicians Andrew White, Paddy Free of Pitch Black and Jerome Kavanagh for performing live in the gallery on both evenings at our pop up shop.
With my Navajo friend Precious at Ny Adorned after tattooing her.
Resin jewelry by Evelyn Ross that was part of the capsule collection I took to New York.
Hanging outside Ora Ny Gallery with New Zealand Photographer Nichola Clark and friend.
Moko completed for a Taranaki born client at Ny Adorned.
Dressed up and ready to roll out for one of my first nights in New York City!
With all of the amazing dancers that graced the exhibition space on the final evening of our pop up shop exhibition.
Kirituhi completed for an African-American woman at Ny Adorned.
The performance that my partner was invited to be a part of at The Lincoln Center was pretty awe inspiring!
I buzzed out on how many psychic shops were in NYC - they seemed to be as common as dairies are in New Zealand!
Taaniko work by Kui Topia that was part of the Toi Wāhine Collective pop up shop.
With New York based Māori gallerist John Royal and his daughter.
Kirituhi for my new friend Grace from Trinidad and Tobago at Ny Adorned.
Tattooing an American born Māori man at NY Adorned.
With new friends Keke and Giarna Te Kanawa, gallerist of Ora Ny Gallery.
Kirituhi at Ny Adorned for a Columbian woman.
Being a poser in the back of a New York yellow cab.
At Ora Ny Gallery.
With a Hawaiian Māoli woman that I met at the gallery, it was so great meeting so many Polynesians from all over in New York.
Outside Ny Adorned.
At the after party of The Lincoln Center performance, 'Calling All Dawns'.
With my new friends Tiff and Sammay at Ora Ny Gallery.
So awesome getting to meet indigenous First Nations performer, Supaman at The Shrine in Harlem.
A projected image of contemporary Māori jeweler, Keri-Mei Zagrobelna on the wall of Ora Ny Gallery as part of a moving portraits film installation by Pikihuia Haenga that was part of our pop up shop exhibition.
My New York family on the trip.
Partay time at the gallery once all the work was finished.
Posey posers.
With new friends Amy and Cristina at the gallery.
A selection of the capsule collection by Toi Wāhine Collective at Ora Ny Gallery.
With my new friend Sammay, Filipino dancer.
Moko completed for an American born Māori man at Ny Adorned.