Current-at the opening

My sister Tabz and I in front of work by Walala Tjapaltjarri

Rangiteaorere & I standing in front of a
beautiful installation by Leanne Clayton

My paintings from left to right:
Fumei, Kalaga & Mataloko; Acrylic on hardboard

Current-Whitespace Gallery

CURRENT

Andy Leleisi'uao
James Ormsby
John Ioane
Leanne Clayton
Cerisse Palalagi
Angelina Pwerle
Emily Kame Kngwarreye
Walala Tjapaltjarri

Originally coined by the French explorer Dumont d'Urville in 1831, Oceania has been traditionally divided into Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Australasia, and today has a population of over 35 million. The migration of the Polynesians in particular is impressive considering that the islands settled by them are spread out over great distances-the Pacific Ocean covers nearly a half of the Earth's surface area.
Most contemporary cultures, by comparison, never voyaged beyond sight of land.

CURRENT showcases the work of contemporary artists, many are second generation New Zealanders and while their experiences of their parents Island homes are limited, their interpretation and understanding of their culture is strong. With the exception of Emily Kame Kngwarreye, who passed away in 1996.
All the artists represented live in Australia or New Zealand and present a fresh view of an evolving art practice, the art they make stands proudly in a contemporary forum and is no longer fulfilling the role of decoration or function as prescribed in the past.
CURRENT demonstrates the complex and diverse cultural and political beliefs that are represented in the vibrant and increasingly collectable art of Oceania. Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Walala Tjapaltjarri, Angelina Pwerle: COURTESY BETT GALLERY HOBART

10 Nov 2007 - 01 Dec 2007

OPEN: Tue-Fri 11-6pm, Sat 11-4pm

12 Crummer Rd, Ponsonby,
Auckland, New Zealand
Email dwhite@whitespace.co.nz
Phone +64 9 361 6331
Mobile 021 639 789.

Toi Whakataa Press

Toi Whakataa - to make artistic impression

Toi = Art; Whakataa = to make impression; Press = printmakers collective, independent of any organisation or institution.

Meaning:

The two white koru refer to the rollers of the press with the paper rolling out bleeding over the edge of the logo, this has been overlayed with a handle of a press thus combining the cultural aspect with the technical aspect of our roopu. The colours, slate greys and blues, reference to Taa moko.

Toi Whakataa Press was established in January of 2006, and emerged from a need to identify printmaking as a valid means of Maori artistic expression.
As a result, this Maori Printmakers Collective acts as a basic network for those involved.
Objectives
To support and encourage the maintanence of Maori printmaking through the sharing of knowledge, opportunities and experience.

To initiate and participate in projects that benefit Maori printmaking and our personal print practises.

To act as representatives of Maori Print whenever appropriate and endeavour to maintain, expand and nurture networks with other indigenous artists.

To be aware of our roles as Maori printmakers/ Maori artists and to continually challenge and discuss what that means in a variety of contexts.

Toi Whakataa Press at this point is a fledgling group as a collective that is made up of strong and established individual printmakers that currently include:

Alethea Nathan

Alexis Neal

Anna marie White

Cerisse Palalagi

Chelsea Gough

Faith McManus

Gabrielle Belz

Marty Vreedre

Mike Samuels
Margie Brown
Natalie Couch
Ruth Green Cole
Sam Farquhar
Simon Kaan

Vanessa Edwards

E moe i te wahine ringa raweke -Opening @ Kura Gallery

Sam Farquhar, Vanessa Edwards,

Natalie Couch, Cerisse Palalagi

Sams woodcuts

Vanessa & Arihia Latham Coates

Gaylene Peterson & Natalie Couch

Me

E moe i te wahine ringa raweke

"E moe i te wahine ringa raweke" – Marry the woman with busy hands

an all women Maori printmakers show

featuring new works by:

Natalie Couch

Vanessa Edwards

Sam Farquhar

Ruth Green Cole

Cerisse Palalagi

Exhibition Statement

byVanessa Edwards

"The title was adapted from an old Maori whakatauki that was said to young women when seeking a husband,

“E moe i te tane ringa raupa – marry the man with workers hands.
This exhibition is a visual comment on the many roles and complex lives that maori woman maintain in Te Ao Marama.
Maori women today need to be competent and confident in navigating between the pakeha world and the Maori world, the individual space (self) and the collective space (whanau).
Our art practise is often a private space for the individual to explore personal perspectives and expressions. However the works themselves continue to reference our connection to something bigger than ourselves.
These works illustrate a visual narrative that constantly redefines our roles, our stance and our place in the many contexts we as Maori women negotiate daily."

The exhibition runs from October 27th- November 23rd, 20007

19 Allen Street
Courtenay Quater
t +64 4 802 4934
e : info@kuragallery.co.nz
Gallery hours
Monday - Thursday 10am - 6pm
Late night Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday 11am - 4pm

http://www.kuragallery.co.nz/