6 weeks in Melbourne

Today marks six weeks in Melbourne, after being home in Aotearoa for four years. I have been blessed with wonderful friends to stay with, and I am grateful to all the fabulous people on my Melbourne trip. It has been an intense healing, shedding and RECALIBRATION time, and I am happy with the fun new directions that my work is now heading in.

Just today I have added Sri Lanka and South India into my travels plans for around the August - September period and I feel very pleased about this. The first and last time that I visited India with my older sister, was about twenty years ago now, and I always did want to go back, particularly to the South. I have also always wanted to visit Sri Lanka, and am particularly looking forward to the TEMPLES, artisans and HOT WEATHER.

I am still refining the new eBooks that I have been developing (there are several), and each day they are getting better and I am ironing out my process, editing, macrons, formatting, designing the style elements, and configuring the reader display between laptop viewing and phone viewing.

‘HOW TO HAVE A STAY HOME ART RETREAT’ and ‘THE CLOAK OF UENUKU’ are available now on my blog, and they now have pastel rainbow colored pages, which I’m happy about too…several of my upcoming eBooks will now feature these signature pastel rainbow colored pages, which look so soft, pretty and gorgeous.

I have some Tā Moko (Māori Tattoo) bookings available in Melbourne (Ballarat) for July 2026.

I am working on a new collection of small one off original paper works called ‘RECALIBRATION’ which will be available to purchase soon. I am currently loving a bone, blush, sage, cream, white, lilac, and blues colour palette.

I will also have some LIMITED EDITION hand signed A4 high quality 300gsm art prints of ‘TE ATA PŪAO’ available to buy soon. I am working on a little progress, improvements, and upgrades every day, and gaining clarity on my moves forward and what I want to do next. Grateful to God!

Ngaa mihi nui,
Te Uira

Returning to Tahiti this 12-19 September for the 'Tatau i Mo'orea Festival' wahoooo!

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.

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.

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!

Come along to the opening of 'He Toi Reikorangi - Te Ātiawa artists celebrate Matariki' this Friday in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast

I am thrilled to be a part of this kaupapa alongside some of my favorite Māori artists. Come along to the exhibition opening this Friday at 4pm, Mahara Gallery. Hope to see you there!

Mauriora,
Taryn

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. 

My painting featured in the exhibition at Musee du quay Branly in Paris.

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.

Freehand draw up for one of the kirituhi I made in Paris, before the tattooing process begins.

The finished kirituhi.

The view from our coffee spot one morning at Musee du quai Branly.

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.

All set to leave our apartment on our very first morning in Paris! 

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.

One of the amazing ceilings at Musee du Louvre!

I loved the numerous depictions of the mother and child at Musee du Louvre.

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!

Hat that I customized over there. I find a hat useful when i'm tattooing as it keeps the hair out of my face.

An example of the sheer awesomeness peppered throughout the city. This was just down the road from our first apartment.

They even had a Museum of Eroticsm!

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.