Paua - In Contemporary Use

Paua

A shiny rainbow of blues, green and mauves

Captured in a Neck Piece

Cathedral Square Market
October 2010. Ajr

The Hui Market

Every year at the Ngai Tahu Hui-a-Tau, there's a very good craft market where iwi members can sell their arts, crafts, services and products. You'll find everything from pounamu (greenstone) and bone jewellery to pounamu platters, woven kete (baskets), stone carvings and clothing embellished with traditional designs. It's a great chance to pick up both traditional and contemporary gifts for friends and family. www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz

Pounamu - A Green Display

Pounamu Pendants

For Sale

At a Market Stall

Ajr 2009

Market Carvings

Detail - that is the thing!

I love my new camera for the way it can depict detail in such precision.

I took these shots at the market in Christchurch's Cathedral Square recently.

Traditional Designs - 20

Two Tiki

Bags in a Market Place
Cathedral Square, Christchurch.
Oct. 2010. Ajr

Spuds!

Maori Potatoes

On Sale

Taupo Market

June 2010. Ajr

To Market, To Market

The Rotorua Farmers' Market at Kuirau Park in Rotorua is somehow 'quintessential Rotorua.' Get down there early on a Saturday morning (in winter in this case) and the geothermal mist is rising, the smell of sulphur hangs in the air and an early guitar is strumming a few warm-up chords.

It's not a Maori market per se, but you'll find a wide range of traditional Maori kai favourites - puha, Rewena bread, steamed puddings, fresh kina, whitebait fritters, mussel patties and watercress bundled into big leafy bunches.

There are stalls selling Maori handcrafts (and a few imitations) and on the morning I went, back in June, there was a woman making korowai (cloaks), her fingers seemingly impervious to the cold as she wove feathers into her garment. The market has a wide range of fresh vegetables and a great atmosphere - definitely a must-visit if you're in town on a Saturday morning.

Market Pounamu

A Trio of Pendants

Pounamu on a String

Catching the Sun

Christchurch Arts Centre Market

May 2010. Ajr

The Art Of Bone

Hei Matau (fish hooks) in Bone

On Sale at the Cathedral Square Markets

Christchurch

May 2010. Ajr

Maori Crafts on Sale

I always enjoy wandering around markets - wherever I go - and here in Christchurch there's a market in Cathedral Square several days a week - at least Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This stall selling Maori crafts is always there and I like to watch visiting tourists react to traditional designs. In all honesty, I'm not sure if these particular articles are made by maori, in new Zealand or not. I must remember to ask next time I'm passing by. The top photograph shows a traditional hei matau, or fish hook, which is now popularly used as a pendant.

To Market, To Market

Maori Carvings

Cathedral Square Market

Christchurch

Dec.2009. Ajr

Pounamu on a String

Pounamu

Pendants at the Arts Centre Market

Christchurch.

November 2009 Ajr

More from the Markets

Carved Heru

(Hair Combs)

In Bone

Cathedral Square Markets, Christchurch.

October 2009. Ajr

A Small Visual Moment

Just a Single Carved Moment

At Cathedral Square Market

Christchurch - October

Catwalk Creativity

When the 2009 MAORI ART MARKet officially opens in Porirua, near Wellington tonight, guests will get a sneak preview of the fashion show, which will be a daily feature of the market at 12.30 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Along with a number of contemporary Maori weavers, the fashion show will include guest designer Dorothy Grant (USA/Canada) hot off the catwalks of New York Fashion Week; Patricia Michael from USA; and our very own Suzanne Tamaki of the Native Sista’s Label, shown in these two images taken at the 2007 Maori Market fashion show.

Suzanne (Maniapoto, Tuhoe, Te Arawa), is an Otaki-based fibre artist, who founded the Native Sista’s label. She was also a founding member of the Pacific Sisters fashion collective in the mid-1990s. Along with her fashion garments, she also creates body adornment and jewellery inspired by the legends and mythical creatures in the Pacific and the world of traditional indigenous costuming. The end results are dramatic and unique and it’s no surprise to learn that she’s scooped a number of awards and has exhibited her work nationally and internationally – including works in the 12th Sydney Biennale in 2000, the 1996 South Pacific Festival of Arts in Samoa and at Belau Museum during the 2004 South Pacific Arts Festival. Tamaki’s collection Bi-Cultural Rap 2000 (first presented as a fashion show set to rap music) was purchased by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Visitors to this year’s Maori Art Market are in for a treat when Native Sista’s take to the catwalk again. www.maoriarts.org.nz

MAORI ART MARKet Returns

I just know I’m going to be horribly frustrated later this week because a series of already-scheduled meetings here in Christchurch mean that it is unlikely I will make it up to Porirua, near Wellington for the 2009 MAORI ART MARKet. One of my friends went to the 2007 market and said it was fabulous and I’d set my heart of going this time round. I’ll be missing a real showcase of top artworks by more than 60 leading and emerging contemporary Maori artists. Imagine all that creativity in one place – everything from painting, carving, photography and weaving to silver jewellery, clay works, mixed media and Ta Moko (tattoo). An estimated NZ$1-million worth of artwork is predicted to change hands at the event or soon after.
Driven by Toi Maori Aotearoa (Maori Arts New Zealand) and located at Pataka Museum and the newly-opened Te Rauparaha Events Centre on October 9, 10 and 11, the market is a biennial event that has flourished since it was first launched as Maori Arts Meets America in San Francisco in 2005. The concept is based on the highly successful INDIAN MARKET, which began over 80 years ago and is held in Santa Fe every August. As part of the concept, other indigenous artists are also invited to attend and this year, market-goers will have the chance to see the work of renowned Haida Indian fashion designer, Dorothy Grant; contemporary Hopi Indian painter, Dan Namingha; and Tahitian Tlingit sculptor, Dempsey Bob. Invited Pacific artists include Lorene Taurerewa, Michael Tuffery and writer/painter, Albert Wendt. And that’s before we even start on the terrific line-up of Maori artists – many of whom have already established high profiles nationally and internationally, others of whom are just starting out on their creative journey. I’ll be bringing you more about the market – and some of the artists featured there – in the coming days….even if I don’t get there in person. www.maoriarts.org.nz (Both images courtesy Toi Maori Aotearoa).

Market Day

Traditional Piupiu

(skirts)

For Sale at Cathedral Square Market
Christchurch

Traditional Designs - 10

Hats For Sale
Riccarton Rotary Market

Market Enterprise

Kete For Sale

Decorated with Paua Shells

Riccarton Rotary Market
Christchurch

September 2009 Ajr

Traditional Designs - 9

T-Shirts

On Sale

Riccarton Rotary Market