Tūhononga

An exhibition organised by Philip Kelly for Matariki featuring new work by
SHANE COTTON (Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Rangi / Ngāti Hine / Te Uri Taniwha)
NIKAU HINDIN (Ngāpuh i/ Te Rarawa / Ngai Tūpoto)
RANGI KIPA (Te Atiawa / Taranaki Iwi /  Ngati Mutunga / Ngati Tama )
REUBEN PATERSON (Ngāti Rangitihi / Ngāi Tūhoe / Tūhourangi / Scottish)
LISA REIHANA (Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Hine / Ngāi Tūteauru / Ngāi Tūpoto) 

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The constellation of Matariki (the Pleiades star cluster) implies a system of relationships. The kupu tūhononga may describe tribal connections or a literal cluster of objects. It acts as a guiding principle for this collection of artists to celebrate the new year in the Māori calendar.

Matariki celebrations are now a national celebration, an established marker of time in the national consciousness. With the rising of the Matariki star cluster we usher in a new year that is specific to this place. In sync with this holiday, we present a group show that considers the sun and whetū (stars), along with their articulation of light  and darkness, as a launching pad to observe relationships between the practices of these artists. A cluster of connections.

Reuben Paterson and Shane Cotton courtesy of Gow Langsford Gallery.

Image: Reuben Paterson