Matatoki: Mata ā Waka

Matatoki: Mata ā Waka is the first exhibition to open Tauranga Art Gallery Toi Tauranga’s 2020 programme celebrating Mana Moana – Mana Tauranga.

This exhibition brings together internationally-recognised contemporary Māori carvers who work under the collective ‘Matatoki’ (meaning ‘The blade of the adze, the cutting edge’).

Alongside these contemporary works are taonga tuturu from the Tauranga Heritage Collection reflecting traditional artworks that relate to the theme including a 700-year-old tīheru (bailer), tauihu (prow), hoe (paddles), toki (adze blades), punga anchor-stones and waka tīwai.

The works display the current strength of carving in Aotearoa New Zealand as an artform, while acknowledging the history, utility and warfare of previous generations. With great reverence and mana, Matatoki: Mata ā Waka honours traditions while challenging conventions and re-conceiving traditional forms.

Artists include Dan Couper, Mike Green, Jason Hina, Tracy Keith, Rakei Kingi, Joel Marsters, Charles Paringatai, Thomas Ratima, Hemi Sungren and Kereama Taepa.