MATARIKI WINNER ANNOUNCED
The Original Art Sale (TOAS) is proud to announce the winner of the Māori Television Matariki Award as Claudine Muru, a local artist resident in Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland. The Māori Television Matariki Award was open to artists nationwide and gained entries from all over New Zealand.
Muru’s piece, titled ‘Ko ngā hua o Rongomaraeroa’, is seven glass blown kumara. Each of the kumara has kupu (words) fired on using enamel paint. The words allude to peace, healing and spiritual ties to the land. Rich colours and bold-simple forms are characteristics of Muru’s work. She often incorporates hue (gourds) and kumara forms to explore themes of re-generation, re-birth and whakapapa.
TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre CEO Richard Jeffery said: “We were looking for a work that represents the meaning and feeling of Matariki in a contemporary way, the winning piece needed to communicate a message to the viewer about this time in the Māori calendar.”
Muru will be presented with the Matariki award at The Original Art Sale exclusive charity Gala evening held on Thursday June 12 at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. Māori Television chief executive Jim Mather will present the award along with a cheque for $2,000.
Tickets to the Charity Gala preview can be purchased on line at www.theoriginalartsale.co.nz or at the door. Doors open 6.30 PM on Thursday June 12 with proceeds to Kidz First.
About Matariki
Matariki is a small but distinctive star cluster whose appearance in the north eastern predawn sky in late May, early June marks the start of a new phase of life.
Although there are tribal differences regarding the timing, celebrations most often begin at the next new moon after Matariki has risen. As with similar ‘moveable feasts’ in the western calendar, such as Easter, the exact timing varies from year to year but usually occurs during the month of June.
In ancient times Matariki arrived at the end of the harvest and was therefore a time of plenty for our ancestors. The kumara and other root foods had been gathered. The migration of fish such as moki and korokoro also made Matariki a time of bountiful catches.
As well as marking the start of a new year, Matariki also signals other new beginnings. Traditionally Matariki was the time to plant trees, prepare the land for planting crops and renew associations with whānau, family and friends.
The New Year is also a good time to reflect on your place in the world, to reawaken old skills or try out new ones and set new goals.
Information from: http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/english/matariki_e/index.shtml
