# Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art

Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art was a survey exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in New Zealand. The exhibition took place from Saturday 5 December 2020 to Sunday 9 May 2021 and utilised the footprint of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
The exhibition was curated by curator and artist Nigel Borell and displayed art spanning from the 1950s onwards. Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art compiled over 300 artworks from 111 Māori artists, some of whom are New Zealand's most significant artists.

## Concept

The exhibition explores 70 years of Māori art through the framework of the Māori creation myth. With artworks spanning a multitude of artistic outcomes including sculpture, painting, film, ceramics, weaving, jewelry and digital art. Informed by Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview), the exhibition was split into concepts to mirror the Māori creation narrative.
The dimly lit opening room of the exhibition represented Te Kore (The Great Nothingness) and contained artworks such as Whenua Kore (2019), by Robert Jahnke, Black Painting: Orange/Blue/Indigo (1969) by Ralph Hotere and Universe (2001) by Peter Robinson. The next room represented Te Po (The Perpetual Night) with works such as Wai o te Marama (2004) by Maureen Lander, Ara-i-te-uru (2011) Israel Tangaroa Birch and Konae Korero #2 (2008) by Darryn George. Following the narrative, the next room transitioned to the story of Te Wehenga o Rānginui raua ko Papatūānuku (The Separation of Rānginui and Papatūānuku) which is represented through works such as Lisa Reihana's video installation, Ihi (2020) and Fiona Pardington's Davis Kea Wings (2015).
Moving to Te Ao Marama (The World of Light and Life) the gallery's display works such as Robyn Kahukiwa's Hinetitama (1980) and Saffronn Te Ratana, Hemi Macgregor and Ngataihuru Taepa's group work, Tu te manu ora i te Rangi (2008). The next room represented Te Poropiti me te Whakapātari (Prophecy and Provocation) with artworks such as Peter Robinson's Strategic Plan, (1998) and Rachel Rakena's video work Rerehiko, (2003).
The exhibition expanded outside the gallery with installations in Britomart in Auckland's CBD. These included the digital installation, SCOUT: Wawata Hōhonu (2020) by Lyonel Grant and Tim Gruchy. The installation work, Te Hau Whakaroa (2020) by Charlotte Graham and a large scale permanent mural by Shane Cotton entitled Maunga. It is located on the side of the Excelsior House near the back of the Britomart Transport Centre.

## Publication

The publication, Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art, was edited by Nigel Borell, designed by Tyrone Ohia and the layout by Katrina Duncan.
The publication won multiple awards, including Gold at the Best Design Awards 2022 (Designer's Institute of New Zealand) for 'Editorial and Books' along with Gold in the 'Toitanga' Maori design category. In 2023 it won The Art Association of Australia and New Zealand (AAANZ) Arts Writing and Publishing Award 'Best Large Exhibition Catalogue'. The book also received the supreme award at The Publishers Association of New Zealand Te Rau o Tākupu (PANZ) Book Design Awards in 2023.

## Reception

Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art was a landmark exhibition and the largest exhibition of Māori art since, Te Māori (1984–1987), which toured The United States of America and Aotearoa New Zealand. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki's last survey offering of Māori art was, Pūrangiaho: Seeing Clearly, curated by Ngahiraka Mason in 2001. Discourse surrounding the exhibition suggested the overdue nature of an exhibition of this kind and celebrated the breadth of work and curatorial approach.

## Artists & Artworks

The following is a list of all artists and artworks included in Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art:
| Artist | Artworks |
| Sandy Adsett (b.1939) | Puhoro, 2020 Riri, 1977 Nikau, 1981 Waipuna, 1978 Koiri Series, 1981 Keroro (Muritai- Wind from the Sea), 1980–81 |
| Hiria Anderson (b.1975) | Tākaro, 2019 Mōrena, 2017 |
| Reweti Arapere (b. 1984) | Poropiti Wairua, 2020 Poropiti Rongomau, 2020 Poropiti Toi, 2020 |
| Margaret Aull (b.1978) | Otengi Road, 2017 Te Miha me te Himene, 2020 |
| Erna Baker (b.1984) | Tango Whakaahua, 2006 |
| Gabrielle Belz (b.1947) | Page 27 May 29, 1916, 2017 |
| Israel Tangaroa Birch (b.1976) | Aramoana, 2016–17 Tai Timu- Tai Pari, 2020 Ara-i-te-uru, 2011 |
| Buster Black (b.1932 – d.2007) | Black Painting: Night Landscape, 1962 |
| Chris Byrant-Toi (b.1970) | Te Ahi-kāinga-roa, 2005 |
| Tangimoe Clay (b.1960) | Taonga o Te Ariki, 2017 |
| Paerau Corneal (b.1961) | Hinemoa & Hinemoa, 2011 |
| Shane Cotton (b.1964) | Eden to Ohaeawai, 1998–2000 Picture Painting, 1994 Maunga, 2020 Te Puawai, 2020 |
| Natalie Couch (b.1976) | Wairākei, 2018 |
| Davina Duke (b.1975) | Te Ara Waenganui (Current Pathway), 2020 |
| Vanessa Wairata Edwards (b.1980) | Kua rere ki to moenga, to fly to your bed.., 2012 Titiro atu, titiro mai (look there, look here, look inwards, look outwards), 2011 Tupuna, 2018 Hine-Tītama, 2018 Hinenui-Te-Po, 2018 |
| Zena Elliot (b.1975) | Current, 2017 Flow, 2017 |
| Elizabeth Ellis (b.1945) | Te Rawhiti Rakaumangamanga, 1966 Puke Huia, 1966 |
| John Bevan Ford (b.1930 – d.2005) | Maui and Mahuika, 1993 |
| Jacqueline Fraser (b.1956) | Raupatu,1980 |
| Darryn George (b.1970) | Konae Korero #2, 2008 |
| Steve Gibbs (b.1955) | 6th Sense, 2017 Turbulence, 2019 |
| Star Gossage (b.1973) | I have sung my way through the world, 2018 Matariki, 2014 |
| Brett Graham (b.1967) | Te Uru, 2014 Rāwhiti, 2014 Talcahuano, 2012 Saanapu, 2012 Te Hokioi, 2008 Foreshore Defender, 2008 Spirit of Aloha, 2008 |
| Charlotte Graham (b.1972) | Te Ha o Te wao Nui a Tāne/ The Breath of Tāne, 2020 Mauri Ora, 2012 Kotahi hā kotahi te oranga, 2015 Ete tau, tahuri mai, 2012 Utua te kino ki te pai, 2012 Kauri Ora, 2012 Te Hau Whakaora, 2020 |
| Fred Graham (b.1928) | Te Wehenga o Rangi raua ko Papa, 1988 Te Ika a Maui, 1970 |
| Lyonel Grant (b.1957) | Te Ure o Te Ngarie, 1991 SCOUT: Wawata Hōhonu, 2020 |
| Ayesha Green (b.1987) | Mum (May 1985), 2020 Mei, 2016 |
| Tim Gruchy (b.1957) | SCOUT: Wawata Hōhonu, 2020 |
| Ngahuia Harrison (b.1988) | Coastal Cannibals, 2020 |
| Chris Heaphy (b.1965) | Walk This Way, 1997 |
| Ngaahina Hohaia (b.1975) | Paopao ki tua o rangi, 2009 |
| Rangituhia Hollis (b.1973) | Kei Mate Mangopare, 2011 |
| Ralph Hotere (b.1931 – d.2013) | Black Painting: Orange/Blue/Indigo, 1969 Black Painting: Purple/Yellow/Indigo, 1969 Black Painting: Blue/Orange/Indigo, 1969 Black Painting: Green, Red, Indigo, 1969 Black Painting: Yellow/Violet Indigo, 1969 Black Painting: Red/Green/Indigo, 1969 Rangi Is My Ancestor, 1972 |
| John Hovell (b.1937 – d.2014) | Te ata toitoi XII, 1985–86 Te ata tuatua, 1985–86 Te ata atata- cat's eye bubu, 1985 |
| Lonnie Hutchinson (b.1963) | Aroha ki te Ora, 2020 Milk and Honey, 2012 |
| Ana Iti (b.1989) | Takoto, 2020 |
| Robert Jahnke (b.1951) | Whenua Kore, 2019 Ripeka Kowhai, 2015 Ripeka Kahurangi, 2015 Ripeka, Whero, 2015 Waitangi Rosary, 2007 |
| Robyn Kahukiwa (b.1938) | Hinetītama, 1980 Taranga, 1982 The Outcast, 1980 Girl in Bush Shirt, 1982 Ngā Tipuna Kei Mua Ko Tatou Kei Muri, 1996 |
| Leilani Kake (b.1977) | Ariki, 2007 |
| Eugene Kara (b.1973) | In the wool shed..., 2004 |
| Emily Karaka (b.1952) | Te Uri o Te Ao, 1995 CULTURAL ID; Marae, Maunga, Motu, 2020 Coming Through, 1983 |
| Natasha Te Arahori Keating (b.1972) | Hine Marama 2, 2018 |
| Rangi Kipa (b.1966) | Hakawai (Karanga Manu- Bird Caller), 2015 Untitled, 2019 |
| Te Rongo Kirkwood (b.1973) | Eunoia, 2020 |
| Jimmy James Kouratoras (b.1972) | Pou Rongoā o te Rā, 2017 |
| Lily Laita (b.1969) | Pari'aka, 1989 |
| Maureen Lander (b.1942) | Wai o te Marama, 2004 Crown Grab Bag, 2006 |
| Matekino Lawless (b.1928) | Beyond the Wharenui, 2020 |
| Randal Leach (b.1973) | Rua i te Wānanga, 2019 |
| Jeremy Leatinu'u (b.1984) | Queen Victoria, 2013 |
| Janet Lilo (b.1982) | Right of Way, 2013 |
| Mere Harrison Lodge (b.1944) | Mata Whenua, 1963 Te Toka-a-Tōrea, 1963 |
| Dan Mace (b.1976) | Kahumaku: A cloak of Tears, 2017 |
| Hemi Macgregor (b.1975) | Tu te manu ora i te Rangi, 2008 Agent Provocateur #2, 2012 |
| Toi Te Rito Maihi (b.1937) | Tāniko, date unknown Uenuku, 1986 Rimurapa I, 2018 Rimurapa II, 2018 Surprise, 1979 |
| Mata Aho Collective: Erna Baker, Sarah Hudson, Bridget Reweti, Terri Te Tau | Atapō, 2020 |
| Bethany Matai Edmunds (b.1978) | Hine Marama 2, 2018 |
| Kāterina Mataria (b.1932 – d.2011) | Lonely Crowd, 1973 Untitled, 1973 Moko 1, 1977 Kauwae, S Dome 1, 1977 |
| Gina Matchitt (b.1966) | Pall Mall Cross, 1999 Jesus Nike, 1999 Kaokao I & II, 2016 |
| Paratene (Para) Matchitt (b.1933 – d.2021) | Untitled, 1969 |
| Matthew McIntyre-Wilson (b.1973) | Poi Kura, 2020 Muka Face Mask, 2020 |
| John Miller (b.1950) | Morning karakia, Te Kaha-nui-a-tiki marae, Te Kaha Sunday 3rd June, 1973, 2001 Porch, Tukaki wharenui. Te Kaha. Local kuia and Ringatu Pou Paroa Delamere with Haare Tahapehi. June 1973, 2001 Tukaki wharenui, Te Kaha. Kura Rewiri-Thorsen/Rewiri, Ngahuia Volkering/Te Awekotuku, Anne Iti and Tame iti. June 1973, 2001 Artist's exhibition Te Kaha-nui-a-tiki District High School, Te Kaha. Work by Para Matchitt. June 1973, 2001 |
| Heperi Mita (b.1986) | Hīkoi, 1984–2020 |
| Merata Mita (b.1942 – d.2010) | Hīkoi, 1984–2020 |
| Neke Moa (b.1971) | Ki a wai?, 2019 Mauri Stones, 2016 |
| Linda Munn (b.1960) | Reconstituting the constitution, tea anyone?, 2012 |
| Claudine Muru (b.1970) | Ko Ngā Hua o Rongomaraeroa, 2003 |
| Selwyn Muru (b.1940) | Te Whiti and Tohu over Taranaki, 1975–77 Resurrection of Te Whiti over Taranaki, 1975–77 Ko Nga Hua o Rongomaraeroa, 2003 |
| Manos Nathan (b.1948 – d.2015) | Ipu Manaia Parirau, 2004 |
| Buck Nin (b.1942 – d.1996) | White Island, 1986 This Land Is Ours, 1978 Untitled, 1976 |
| James Ormsby (b.1957) | Tawhiao Cartoon (large Drawing #22), 2008 Tawhiao en rouge, LD #27, 2019 |
| Rona Ngahuia Osborne (b.1974) | Kahumaku: A cloak of Tears, 2017 |
| Fiona Pardington (b.1961) | Davis Kea Wings, 2015 |
| Michael Parekōwhai (b.1968) | Poorman, Beggarman, Thief (Poorman), 1996 The Ascension, 2020 Te Ao Hurihuri (Left), 2009 Te Ao Hurihuri (Right), 2009 |
| Reuben Paterson (b.1973) | Universe, 2001 I Am I, I Am Not I, 2001 Te Pātahitangi ō Rehua, 2005 He hue/Gourds: Kua tu te puehu, 2020 The Kaiahuwhenua and His Three Sons, 2001 |
| Nova Paul (b.1973) | This is not Dying, 2010 |
| Matt Pine (b.1941 – d.2021) | Stack, 1988 |
| Nathan Pohio (b.1970) | The Feral Horses of Natacha von Braun: two files for two monitors, 2016 |
| Rachael Rakena (b.1969) | Rerehiko, 2003 |
| Shona Rapira-Davis (b.1951) | There Are No Bees in My Garden, 2020 Nga Morehu, 1982–88 |
| Aimee Ratana (b.1978) | Crown Pursuit of Te Kooti 1868–1872, 2012 Rua Kenana's Arrest, Maungapohatu 1916, 2012 Tame Iti's Arrest Ruatoki Raids 2007, Labelled by Media as Tuhoe Terrorists. Government Enforced Terrorist Suppression Act, 2012 MMVA_IMG:14, 2005 |
| Lisa Reihana (b.1964) | Ihi, 2020 Mahuika, 2001 Marakihau, 2001 Hinepukohurangi, 2001 Hinewai, 2001 |
| Bridget Reweti (b.1985) | Ziarah, 2018 |
| Baye Riddell (b.1950) | Seven Days, 2012 |
| Natalie Robertson (b.1962) | S23/2.1 Ratana Road 1998 U14/8.4 Kenana Road 1998 U23/4.2 Te Whiti Road 1998 W15/4.4 Te Kooti Road 1998. From the series The Prophets (Ngā Poropiti), 2001 Waipu Bridge Pillar Ki Uta, 2020 Waipu Bridge Pillar Ki Tai, 2020 |
| Peter Robinson (b.1966) | Boy Am I Scared Eh!, 1997 Painting 1993, 1993 Strategic Plan, 1998 |
| Emily Schuster (b.1927– d.1997) | Potae Kiwi, 1990 |
| Maree Sheehan (b.1969) | Te Rita Bernadette Papesch, 2020 Moana Maniapoto, 2020 Ramon Te Wake, 2020 |
| Huhana Smith (b.1962) | Te Rakau a Te Rangitāwhia- The Tree of Te Rangitāwhia, 2003 |
| Kereama Taepa (b.1972) | Pākati Pakemana, 2017 Pākati Karearea, 2017 Pākati Sonic, 2017 |
| Ngataiharuru Taepa (b.1975) | Tu te manu ora i te Rangi, 2008 He ata ki runga, he ata ki raro, 2020 Tane Mahuta- Manos Nathan Legacy, 2015 |
| Wi Te Tau Pirka Taepa (b.1946) | Mahere Mapping Series: Untitled, 2002 Untitled (Punch Patterns), 2002 |
| Tāwera Tahuri (b.1970) | Tamanui Ki Mua!, 2020 |
| Kelcy Taratoa (b.1972) | Kia Aupikinga te Poukapa, 2019 To be as the Seer/Kei tua o Te Arai, 2019 |
| Shannon Te Ao (b.1978) | Two shoots that stretch far out, 2013–14 |
| Jasmine Te Hira (b.1990) | The Beauty of Invisible Grief, 2016 |
| Te Maari (b.1982) | Te Anau, 2019 Te Ahorangi Grace Rangitauninihi Tūī (Emeritus Professor Grace Rangitauninihi Tūī), 2020 Pīpī, Rēri Wharauroa ō Mokopōpaki (Pīpī, Lady Shining Cuckoo of Mokopōpaki), 2020 Mr & Mrs Hēmi and Mereana Pūtangitangi (James and Maryann Paradise-Shelduck), 2020 Te Kereū Maui, 2018 HRH Princess M. Waipurukamu Potaka-Whio, 2020 Te Kōako, 2018 Te Mohua, 2019 Ākipīhopa Renata Kākāpō (Archbishop Renata Kākāpō), 2020 Te Huia, 2018 Te Kōtare, 2019 |
| Saffronn Te Ratana (b.1975) | Tu te manu ora i te Rangi, 2008 3 tlz.lft, 4t.l.z.i.f.t<1, 2001 |
| Kura Te Waru Rewiri (b.1950) | Te Tohu Tuatahi, 1991 Arohanui, 2006 Tenei au, tenei au (This is me, this is me), 2006 Whenua/Wahine /Whenua (Land/Woman/Land), 1989 |
| Donna Tupaea-Petero (b.1971) | Pihepihe, 2017 |
| Colleen Waata Urlich (b.1939 – d.2015) | Ipu Tāniko, 2007 |
| Dorothy Waetford (b.1967) | IOEAU, 2017 |
| Taika Waititi (b.1975) | Ringatū, 1999 Te Rauparaha, 1999 The Bill, 1999 Mob Dollars, 1999 |
| John Walsh (b.1954) | Pare To My Place, 2017 |
| Marilynn Webb (b.1937 – d.2021) | Coastline 2, 1970 Cloud Landscape Central Otago II, 1974 Bluff I, 1970 |
| Cliff Whiting (b.1937 – d.2017) | Tanagroa, 1982 Land March Series, 1975 |
| Gary Whiting (b.1958) | Whakarongo ki Nga Tipuna I & II, 2015 |
| Areta Wilkinson (b.1969) | Waiora, 2013 Hei Ata Āhua, 2018 |
| Arnold Manaaki Wilson (b.1928 – d.2012) | Tane Mahuta, 1957 He Tangata, He Tangata,1956 Ringatu,1958 Hine of the Lake, 1976 |
| Selwyn Wilson (b.1927 – d.2002) | Study of a Head, date unknown Tall Pot, 1970 Short Pot, 1970 |
| Christina Hurihia Wirihana (b.1949) | Beyond the Wharenui, 2020 |
| Pauline Yearbury (b.1927 – d.1977) | How Maui Made the Sun Slow Down, 1970 |