Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho: Taonga Pūoro Showcase Exhibition

Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho: Taonga Pūoro Showcase will present visual and performance art, workshops and presentations inspired and informed by the practice of traditional Māori instruments, taonga pūoro.

This showcase reflects on the journey of the revival of taonga pūoro, from the early days of the Haumanu Collective with pioneers such as Hirini Melbourne, Richard Nunns, & Brian Flintoff, to the more recent developments and utilisation of taonga pūoro in contemporary artworks.

The Calder & Lawson Gallery will present the Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho: Taonga Pūoro Showcase Exhibition, which will feature some of the University of Waikato’s taonga pūoro collection alongside contemporary artworks from the University Art Collection and individual artists. It will offer a snapshot of artists working with images, forms, design, music, or concepts related to taonga pūoro. Supporting the exhibition is a public program outlined below.

An Artist Collaboration Day will take place on Wednesday 13 February; it will be an opportunity for artists to get together, talk, brainstorm and collaborate.

On the evening of Friday 15 February a special taonga pūoro Performance/Showcase event featuring international practitioner performers James Thornton Webster, Horomona Horo and Warren Warbrick.

Also including Paddy Free and local artists Jeremy Mayall, Waimihi Hotere and Noel Kaa Reid and more. It will be a performance of a variety of accomplished taonga pūoro players and musicians.

There will be a koha entry on the door.

Throughout Saturday 16 February, there will be a Taonga Puroro Showcase Open Day featuring workshops, presentations and performances taking place in Te Whare Tāpere Iti within the Academy including:
- Karetao by James Webster
- ‘How to play’ by Hinewirangi Kohu
- Taonga Pūoro playing, collaboration techniques, sounds and history presentations by Horomona Horo
- Discussion Panel ‘Toku Reo, Toku Ohooho/My Language, My Awakening’ on Taonga Pūoro today and into the future, featuring all artists in attendance

Works exhibited by:
Alistair Fraser, Ben Woollen, Bernard Makoare, Brian Flintoff, Clem Mellish, Hinewirangi Kohu, Hirini Melbourne, Hiwirori Maynard, Horomona Horo, Israel Birch, James Webster, Jeremy Mayall, Jo’el Komene, Karl Leonard, Lewis Gardiner, RgShaw, Rangi Kipa, Rangiiria Hedley, Regan Balzer, Richard Nunns, Sebastian Lowe, Todd Couper, Warren Warbrick and Will Ngakuru.

Curated by: Regan Balzer