Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 10, 1 October 1993 — ʻTe Waka Toi,ʻ the Maori art of excellence [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻTe Waka Toi,ʻ the Maori art of excellence

by Jeff Clark The Te Waka Toi ("the carrier of excellence"), an exhibit of contemporary Maori art from New Zealand, will be shown at the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa art gallery through Nov. 5. The exhibit will open Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. with a program that will include chant and ceremony. Maori artists whose works are featured in the show will be visiting Hawai'i at this time, and OHA is helping them hook up with Hawaiian artists. "OHA is helping to create opportunities for Hawaiians and Maoris to get together and benefit from eaeh other's skills and techniques," said OHA culture specialist Manu Boyd, who, along with UH-Mānoa Art Gallery director Tom Klobe, is helping to

coordinate the Maoris' stay. While both the Maon and Hawaiian artists who are participating work in contemporary art, "they eaeh have their roots and foundation in tradition," Boyd added. While in Hawai'i, the artists will eommune with their Hawaiian counterparts. Hawaiian featherwork and ipu workshops are scheduled, as are visits to heiau, the Waimea Valley Makahiki, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. At 7 p.m. on Oct. 5-7, pairs of Hawaiian and Maori artists will take part in public symposia in the UH art department auditorium. There will be an exhibit fair on Oct. 10 from noon - 4 p.m. whieh will include artwork, food, and entertainment, including loeal

Maori entertainer Rhonda. Te Waka Toi is the Council for Maori and South Pacific Arts, based in Wellington, New Zealand. Council chairman Cliff Whiting notes in a publicity statement, "We Maori are tribal people and we need to explore opportunities to enhanee the development of our art with other tribal peoples. This time we are visiting the United States to share our artistic endeavours and experiences with those whose shores are also washed by our oeean. We see a valuable exchange possible through the exhibition and also through the personal contacts and workshops, performances and any other activities that might develop around this project."

These works by Riki Manuel (top) and Emily Karaka are among those included in the Te Waka Toi exhibit.