15 Sep 2015
Six senior artists from the Cook Islands specialising in heritage artforms will visit Aotearoa New Zealand next week as part of an annual Creative New Zealand cultural exchange programme with the Pacific Islands. The visit coincides with this year’s 50th anniversary celebrations of self-government for the Cook Islands.
The artists will be in Wellington and Auckland to support Pacific arts and celebrate the close ties between the people of the Cook Islands and Aotearoa.
During 9-14 September the artists will share their skills and knowledge in a free public programme of workshops, demonstrations and talks hosted at Te Papa, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Fresh Gallery Ōtara. They will also take a tour of Te Papa and meet with local Māori and Pacific artists, including Toi Māori Aotearoa staff and board members, to exchange cultural knowledge and artistic practice.
“This exchange recognises and celebrates the long and special relationship between the people of the Cook Islands and New Zealand,” says Caren Rangi, Arts Council Pacific representative and Cook Islands cultural adviser for this year’s project.
“The timing of the exchange is especially fitting, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of self-government by the Cook Islands in free association with New Zealand. I am very excited to see our ta’unga (experts) come to share their unique artistic talents with the wider New Zealand community.”
The visiting artists are:
- Tua Pittman (Rarotonga) – master vaka navigator
- Mark Short (Rarotonga, Mauke, Manihiki) – Taunga (master) of Cook Islands drums
- Tetini Pekepo (Rarotonga, Mangaia) – master tattooist, Tatau Kuki Airani (Cook Islands tattoo)
- Tungane Broadbent (Rarotonga, Mangaia) – master tīvaevae artist (artistic quilting)
- Minar Henderson (Rarotonga, Aitutaki) – Rakei Kuki Airani (Cook Islands costume design) and choreography
- Jemima Peau (Omoka Penrhyn) – senior weaver, Raranga Rito (Rito weaving)
“We are grateful for the support of Auckland Museum, Fresh Gallery Ōtara, Te Papa, the Cook Islands High Commission in New Zealand and Tōi Maori Aotearoa with this year’s exciting programme. I would also like to acknowledge Tuaratini Raa, our Artist Liaison, who has been instrumental in making this exchange happen,” says Caren Rangi.
The visit is funded through Creative New Zealand’s international cultural exchange programme. Previous arts and cultural exchanges include Niue in 2014, Tonga in 2013 and Samoa in 2012.
Public programme details below.
For media enquiries and further information, please contact:
Jasmyne Chung
Senior Communications Adviser, Creative New Zealand
M +64 27 838 8868 | jasmyne.chung@creativenz.govt.nz
Free Public Programme: 9 – 14 September 2015
Download a copy of the public programme (PDF)
Media welcome - please register interest in advance of events.
Wednesday 9 September 2015 (Wellington)
TE PAPA
3 – 5.30pm
Meet the Artists – Demonstrations and artist interviews
Join the six visiting senior artists from the Cook Islands as they share their skills and cultural knowledge in a variety of demonstrations. Teremoana Yala will also conduct lively interviews with the artists while they work. All welcome.
Thursday 10 September 2015 (Auckland)
Exhibition opening ‘Pirianga Toto’
Join the Fresh Gallery Ōtara for the opening of ‘Pirianga Toto’ – a group exhibition of Cook Islands artists. Our visiting senior artists from the Cook Islands will be in attendance and you can meet local artists.
Saturday 12 September 2015 (Auckland)
AUCKLAND WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM
10am – 3pm
Free public programme
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cooks Islands self-governance with visiting senior heritage artists from the Cook Islands. The artists will share their skills and cultural knowledge in a variety of demonstrations, talks and workshops. There will be talks specifically on vaka navigation, Cook Islands costuming and Cook Islands drumming. Lunch provided. All welcome.
Monday 14 September 2015 (Auckland)
FRESH GALLERY, ŌTARA
1 – 3pm
Exchange with exhibiting and local artists
A special afternoon where the artists who specialise in Cook Islands heritage artforms will share their skills and cultural knowledge with local artists, including the artists who contributed to the ‘Pirianga Toto’ exhibition at Fresh Gallery.
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