Local iwi have been enjoying two exhibitions at Aratoi, which fit well with the spirit of Matariki, the Maori New Year – Kiri Riwai-Couch’s ‘Kuia’ photographs, and Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander’s ‘Mana Whenua – Taku Kai, Taku Oranga’.
Kiri describes herself as a ‘serious amateur’ when it comes to her art, and ‘Kuia’ was a milestone for her, being her first exhibition. The project, which she fitted around her job as a production assistant at the Ministry of Education, was a step beyond the mainly wedding and family photography that she had done up that point. At a recent artist’s talk at Aratoi, she said she worked on Kuia almost every weekend from February to May 2014. The portraits will be handed back to the kuia in a small ceremony at Aratoi on Sat 5 July at 1pm.
Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander grew up in Wairarapa but has lived outside the region as an adult, and is relocating to Queenstown. She currently works in digital illustration, selling her limited edition prints at Kura Gallery. She draws inspiration from ‘mana wahine’ – the strength in women, female roles in Maori history, tribal stories and mythology.
Exhibitions at Aratoi: ‘Mana Whenua – Taku Kai, Taku Oranga’ – Bronwyn Waipuka-Callander, until 4 July; Kuia - Kiri Riwai-Couch, until 5 July
