In Good Relation: Maioha Kara

23 Whiringa-ā-rangi 2024 – 29 Poutū-te-rangi 2025
23 November 2024 – 29 March 2025

E ngākaunui ana a Maioha Kara (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Tipa, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Tūhourangi, Te Whānau a Hinetapora, Kuki Airani) ki ngā hononga ki waenga i ngā mea katoa. Kei tēnei whakaaturanga o āna toi hou me āna toi o mua, kei te whakaatu atu a Kara i ngā hononga ki waenga i te tangata, i te taiao, me te orokohanganga o te ao mā te whakapapa.

Kua tīkina atu e Kara ngā momo tauira, ngā āhua me ngā rawa tawhito hei whakaatu mai i ēnei hononga. Ka whai ia i ngā tikanga toi a tōna Pāpā me ērā nō te iwi Māori o Aotearoa me ngā Kuki Airini (pērā i te whakairo, i te raranga, i te tukutuku, i te kōwhaiwhai me te tīvaevae) hei whakaū i ngā tauira tawhito ki runga i ngā momo papa rākau. He whakapapa anō tō āna rawa toi. E tohu ana ngā rākau Māori i tō tātou hononga ki te ao māori, ā, he maramara pīataata e whakaira kau ana—ko te pūngao o te aho me te mauri o ngā mea katoa.

I a ia e rāwekeweke ana i ngā momo whakatakotoranga o te tauira, o ngā rawa me ngā momo āhua, kei te waihanga a Kara i tētahi mahere whakapapa e tuitui ana i a tātou ki a tātou anō, ki te taiao me te ao tukupū.

Maioha Kara (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Tipa, Te Ātihaunui-a-Papārangi, Tūhourangi, Te Whānau a Hinetapora, Kuki Airani) is deeply interested in the interconnectedness of all things. In this exhibition of new and existing works, Kara uses whakapapa as a lens to reveal the connections between people, te taiao, and the very beginnings of creation.

Kara’s work taps into a vast archive of geometries, forms and materials that trace these connections. Referencing her father’s artistic practice, as well as Māori and Kuki Airani art forms (such as whakairo rākau, raranga, tukutuku, kōwhaiwhai and tīvaevae), Kara excavates patterns into timber forms. Her choice of materials further explores the ripples of whakapapa. Native timbers echo our connection to the natural world while coloured glitter embodies the concept of iraira (to shine) — the energy of light and the mauri of all things.

Playing with the configurations between pattern, materials and form, Kara creates vast maps of whakapapa that place us within a rich tapestry of connections with each other, nature and the cosmos.

Whakatūwheratanga (Opening)
Friday 22 November, Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga - joint with He Pānui: Te Ara Hihiko.
Please arrive from 5.20pm - the opening tikanga will begin at 5.30pm sharp.
No RSVP is required.