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).
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 
