30 Sep – 23 Oct
Mon – Sat, 11 am – 4 pm
Toi Matarau Gallery
68 Main St Ōtaki
Visit Te Ara o Kārikiōrangi at Toi Matarau at the Māoriland Hub.
An exceptional and carefully curated exhibition celebrating Indigenous artistry from Turtle Island.
‘Te Ara o Kārikiōrangi, Walking The Turquoise Road’
chronicles the journey taken by Kaitiaki Toi Maakarita Paku, representing the Hunkpapa, Sichangu Lakota Oyate, and Māori heritage, along with Māoriland trustees Pat Hakaraia (of Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toarangatira, Kāi Tahu descent) and Tania Hakaraia (a Pākehā), to the Santa Fe Indian Market in August, 2023.
The Essence of Turquoise:
Turquoise, revered as a sacred stone, symbolises the union of the inner voice and the heart. This opaque, blue-green mineral, composed of hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum, possesses timeless allure. For millennia, it has been cherished as a status symbol for its captivating hues.
Kārikiōrangi: A Jewel of Significance:
Kārikiōrangi pays homage to the cherished gem Turquoise, synonymous with the Southern Plains of Unci Maka. Beyond its aesthetic charm, Turquoise sustains many artists, families, and tribes economically. The tangata whenua adorn themselves with Turquoise regalia, embodying pride and resilience. It is valued as a taonga in the same way precious resources like Pounamu, Pāua and Tohorā are to iwi Māori.
The Turquoise Road Unveiled:
In this show is a small collection of artworks documenting Te Ara o Kārikiōrangi, Walking The Turquoise Road of the Southwest from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A Tapestry of Indigenous Connections:
Te Ara o Kārikiōrangi, Walking The Turquoise Road weaves a Turquoise trail of whakapapa (genealogy) and tikanga (customs), illuminating the vast voyaging connections of Indigenous peoples from the Pacific Northwest to Aotearoa in the Pacific Southwest. This unique exhibition celebrates these connections through art, design, architecture, fashion, film, and music.
Te Ara o Kārikiōrangi was made possible with support from Creative NZ, the US Embassy to New Zealand, Internet NZ and the Institute of American Indian Arts.