Looking Back: MATARIKI ART EXHIBITION 2014

Social movements like HEART use art, film, theatre and music to stimulate conversation. The Matariki exhibition in 2014 was a great example of this. The exhibition was held in the wharekai at Ruapotaka Marae over seven nights and ran alongside the Matariki Light Trail in Maybury Reserve. The Light Trail attracts over 5,000 people each year, lots of locals and some from elsewhere.

HEART invited seven local Māori and Pacific artists to make a piece representing the seven stars of the Matariki constellation. The theme of the exhibition was Whānau Ora. This was a great theme to foster conversation about healthy relationships. 

Over 700 people visited during the week and stayed to talk about the art, share kai and learn about the HEART Movement. Many of the Change Agents said it was the most successful community engagement project in 2014 because of the setting and theme, and how it drew such a diverse crowd.

This facebook post Tara Moala made captured the event well…

“Hanging out at Ruapotaka Marae at The Heart Movement's Art Exhibition tonight. 

 Group of young kids come up to the door, 1, 2, 3, peering inside. Then someone from behind pushes and bang, all 7 are inside. Not sure if they’re allowed, or if someone will tell them off, they edge forward, giving each other confidence. “Hey guys, come have a milo” and woosh, here they are, lining up and egging each other on to take a toasted sandwich and hot drink. It’s cold out there, and there’s something about Awhi’s big smile behind the pot of Milo that seems to warm up their confidence even more. “Do your parents know you’re out guys?” - I couldn’t resist checking. “Yes” “yep” “I have to be back by 8” “My nan doesn’t”. Hmmm… have another toastie kids. 

 I turn, to see a familiar face, only with lines of stress added over time. I smile. “Hey, long time. How you?” His face breaks into a big grin “I didn’t know if you would remember me” I laugh, yep been a while - about 9 years actually. He was one of the youth that I worked with through the cops to help move away from crime. He turns to look for his kids and points them out to me one by one. I ask him about how his parenting journey is going and we share experiences over the last few years. When he leaves, he comes to find me again and to say “thanks.” You’re welcome mate. 

 I see an older couple looking up at an art piece and I wander over to offer hot drinks and toasted sandwiches that the HEART volunteers are making. They smile and thank me. We chat. They live in Panmure, went to local schools - one of them the same that my child is going to now. They ask me to read out a write up about a particular art piece they love - Missy’s one. They forgot their glasses. I read it for them, and in turn, they tell me what they think parents in our community would benefit with. Confidence. “They need to learn how to show confidence - positive confidence. Then their kids will be able to learn what that looks like too.” hmm… 

 Packing up for the night, and I look around. A manager from a family centre comes in for a drink, the kaiwhakahaere of the marae pops in to chat with her young one, the community patrols are always around - inside and out, a community worker with her kids give a koha to the cause, and the volunteers, always so many volunteers, giving their time because they love the kaupapa - healthy relationships in Tāmaki. In my opinion? We’re getting there.”

The artists were young in their teens, twenties and thirties. They were: 

 Ripeka Read and Hohaia Armstrong – Tukuiho, contemporary manu aute

Chase Pihama – ‘Whānau Ora’, paint on canvas 

Larsen Winiata Taylor - ‘Ahu Rewa’, paint on canvas

Missy Hemara-Herbert – Raranga, harakeke

Petelo Esekielu – Links to self, community and geneology, mat and pou

Salome Tanuvasa – ‘My family’s well being’, water colours and text on card

Natasha Nansen – ‘What is a healthy relationship?’, framed prints

Author: Cristy Trewartha