Massey celebrates iwi creativity

Massey's College of Creative Arts is celebrating Māori student achievement with an exhibition opening this week.

The 2012 Iwi Creativity poster exhibition showcases the work of 15 students in design, visual and material culture, and fine arts. Each poster presents samples of the students’ creative work along with a personal statement and details of their iwi affiliations.

The exhibition opening, on Wednesday September 12, will be preceded by a public lecture, given by Megan Tamati-Quennell (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe,
Waitaha), Curator Contemporary Māori, Indigenous Art at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The lecture is entitled “Imagined Futures and Utopian Dreams”: Ki te kahore he wahakakitenga ka ngaro te Iwi, Without foresight or vision the people will be lost (King Tawhiao Potatau te Wherowhero).

The Iwi Creativity Students 2012 are majoring in fine arts, textile design, visual communication design, photographic design and industrial design. The work featured in their posters ranges from typography and illustration to a hand-painted wallpaper collection to painting and sculpture to photography to designs for better quad bike safety.

Professor Ross Hemera, Kaiwhakaahua for the College of Creative Arts, says Iwi Creativity is a significant event in the College calendar. “It is one way in which we acknowledge the connections students have with their iwi, and their creative development and aspirations. For the college, the Iwi Creativity initiative enhances our iwi connections and contributes to expanding our understanding of creativity.

Lecture and Exhibition Opening:
Wednesday September 12

Te Ara Hihiko, College of Creative Arts
Massey University, Wellington
Entrance E from Tasman Street, or Entrance C from Wallace Street

Lecture: 6pm, Te Ara Hihiko, Wāhanga Whakarite (The Pit)
Exhibition Opening: 7pm, Te Ara Hihiko, Gallery C3

Exhibition Viewing:
September 13 – 21, Monday to Friday (not open weekends)
9am – 5pm
Te Ara Hihiko, Gallery C3
Free admission. The public are welcome.