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.
About Me
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
If you're into personal development + lifestyle design + online business (like I am) you might like these links...
"E tipu e rea i ngā rā o tōu ao, tōu ringaringa ki te rākau a te Pākehā, hei oranga mō tō tinana; tōu ngākau ki ngā taonga a ō tūpuna, hei tikitiki mō tō māhunga; tōu wairua ki te atua, nāna nei ngā mea katoa i hanga."
"Grow up o tender one in the days of your world, put your hand to the skills of the Pākehā that you might find sustenance for your body; extend your heart to the treasures of your ancestors as an adornment for your head; commit your spirit to the divine, who is the creator of all things."
Here is a round up of some of my favorite websites, authors, and tools on the internet at the mo, these are the places that I like to visit on the regs, just for fun:
Personal development
Gala Darling (Adorn yourself, adore your life, Wellington writer doing things proper in NYC)
Tara Bliss (Australian author, coach and speaker currently getting into kundalini yoga)
Gabby B (New York style modern guru and author)
Rach Macdonald (Australian life coach)
Wabi Sabi Well (Australian high vibe health, fitness and wellness)
Rebecca Campbell (Spiritual writer, teacher and speaker)
The Daily Love (Personal development)
The business of art + self employment
Marie Forleo (New York style business and lifestyle coach)
B-School (Online business school for entrepreneurs and artists)
The Abundant Artist (Business tips and advice for abundant artists)
The Renegade Collective (Magazine for game changers, thought leaders, rule breakers and style makers)
Leonie Dawson (Australian life and business coach)
The Change-Makers Collective (Online design + business tools and people)
Books
Light is the new black (Spirituality)
High (Self development)
Growing into Grace (Self development)
Design
Sian Richardson (Kiwi girl doing design and online business proper)
E-Books
Rebels with a cause (A playbook for doing what you damn well please)
Spirited (Self development and spirituality)
Charles Royal (Māori artist, academic and thought leader)
Travel Related
Hubud (Business + creativity hub based in Ubud, Bali)
I hope you find something useful and interesting in there!
Arohanui,
Taryn
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.
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.
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!
Work with me: Matariki Māori star art workshop for educators and tamariki
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.
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.
Tattooer turned teacher? Why I love working with kids!
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.
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.
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!
My first trip to Paris: City of art, love and museums!
In May 2014 I was blessed to have the opportunity to travel to Paris with my baby and my mother, to attend the opening of an exhibition at Musee du quai Branly, called 'Tattooers, Tattooed' that featured one of my paintings.
While I was in Paris for the exhibition opening, I also did some tattooing. Most of the people that got kirituhi by me were French - and all of them were very respectful, grateful and appreciative of Māori culture.
We were there for about two weeks, and it was awesome! It was my first time in Europe and I definitely want to go back there. We stayed in an apartment close to the Eiffel Tower and Musee du quai Branly for the first week, and then we moved to the Montemartre Arrondissement which is known for hosting many artists over the centuries, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Vincent Van Gogh. I really liked the diversity of the Montemartre area, and there was heaps to see and do there.
Some of the things that I loved about Paris:
The museums. They seemed to have a museum for everything imaginable! Visiting Musee du Louvre was definitely a highlight.
The food. Of course Paris is known for its cuisine and wine, and it did not disappoint! Breakfast, lunch and dinner was always a treat, and I loved to have my morning coffee at a little cafe on the street, watching all the different people go by.
The attention to detail. I really noticed how seemingly everything is beautified or ornately detailed in some way. The most unexpected and mundane things had the effort and time put into making them aesthetically pleasing. Presentation in Paris is really big and it was lovely to experience such attention to detail.
Catching the metro out to the suburbs with some of my friends from Newtown, Wellington (yes they were in Paris at the same time as me!) to watch a Rod Taylor reggae gig was some unexpected fun!
A spontaneous freestyle jam in the streets of Montmartre with some new friends we had just met that had a guitalele (the first time I had ever seen such an instrument) was a really memorable moment.
Going on an impromptu adventure on foot and by metro, around Paris with my Italian client-turned-new-friend, Domenica, was really enjoyable.
Eating small portions of several delicious dishes whilst standing up at a tiny place in St Germaine with another new friend was pretty cool - and walking around the streets afterwards, looking in the windows of all the art galleries of that area was the best part.
The fashion. There are so many people from all around the world in Paris, and I loved checking out all of the different styles that people were rocking. Even the men get into fashion over there, and they were super stylish!
I met some great people and made some cool friends and I am super grateful and appreciative for the experience! Thank you Paris! Here is a French article about the Māori section of the exhibition in Paris.
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.