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Ha-Wai-Ki-Nui exhibition

Ha-Wai-Ki-Nui reconnects visitors with the essence of water, in new contemporary art exhibition for the Hawke’s Bay Art Festival

 

Arts Inc. Heretaunga and the Hastings Community Arts Centre is proud to host ‘Ha-Wai-Ki-Nui’, a contemporary art exhibition, as the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival’s annual showcase.

 

Curated by Darryl Thompson (Omahu, Ngāti Hinemanu, Ngāti Upokoiri), Michelle Mataira (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Apa) and Mark Anderson (Exhibition Co-ordinator, Arts Inc. Heretaunga), this moving and transformative collaboration brings together a diverse selection of artwork from more than 30 local, national, and international artists.  Exhibiting artists include: Sandy Adsett, Kirsty Babington, Richard Brimer, Willie Devine, Jenny Dickerson, Turumakina Duley (Australia), Nathan Foote, Hoana Forrester, Otiz Frizzell, Hiwirori Hatea, Alex Heperi, Tracy Keith, Kaatarina (Rina) Kerekere, Ole Maiava, Michelle Mataira, Colleen Nicholls, Miria Pohatu, Wilray Price, Karina Reti, Henare Tahuri, Tawera Tahuri, Darryl Thomson, Daniel Tippett, Karmen Thomson, Nephi Tupaea, Kezia Whakamoe, Wiyaan (Australia).

 

‘Ha-Wai-Ki-Nui’ serves as a response to Cyclone Gabrielle and the floods that devastated Hawke’s Bay in February, with the aim to heal and empower. Visitors are encouraged to acknowledge that although water has caused heartache, it remains a sacred entity interwoven with all life.

 

Through a captivating range of painting, sculpture, weaving, and mixed-media, exhibition visitors are invited to immerse themselves on a contemplative journey that seeks to reshape their emotions regarding water. ‘Ha-Wai-Ki-Nui’ acts as a catalyst for change, inspiring a renewed commitment to preserving and restoring the balance between land, water, and all living things.

 

Curator Darryl Thomson, says, "The Kaupapa of Ha-Wai-Ki-Nui is to reconnect visitors with the profound and sacred essence of water, helping them to heal from the emotional challenges that have been experienced by friends and creatives in flood affected areas from Tairāwhiti through Gisborne, down to Hawke's Bay, and up again to Auckland.”

 

The exhibition opens with a hui on Tuesday night, concerning ‘The State of Contemporary Arts in Kahungunu’. It will involve two sets of panellists from various artistic disciplines who will share their experiences, insights, and visions for the future of contemporary arts in Kahungunu.  

 

Ha-Wai-Ki-Nui will run from 2 – 28 October at the Hastings Community Arts Centre, Russell Street. The full list of exhibiting artists can be found at www.artsinc.co.nz