Great art arrives in small packages

By: Chris Marshall

Darlene Fay Walters with her poi, representing a journey of rediscovery.

A tightly woven yet delicate harakeke poi created by Darlene Fay Walters has claimed first prize in the inaugural Ngati Tūwharetoa-led art awards.

About 110 enthusiastic attendees, including the artists and whānau, witnessed the works being blessed prior to the opening of the exhibition and judging announcement.

Walters, up against a range of different pieces including three-minute videos, digital paintings on acrylic, mixed media works and paintings on canvas, was pleased but modest about her success.

“I was very surprised because it was so small.”

Describing her poi in the exhibition catalogue Walters wrote that it reflected her “journey of rediscovery, reconnecting with Te Ao Māori and finding where I belong within it... Te Ara Atea was inspired by Waitangi 2024, where my son and I participated in Tame Iti’s Haki Atea. The ātea – the blank white space – symbolised the path between my Pākehā upbringing and Te Ao Māori. That space, though empty at first glance, is rich with potential for connection, understanding and belonging.”

The woven patterns represented the journey between two worlds: the challenges, the learning and the reconciliation, she wrote.

“Harakeke grounds the pieces, reminding me that strength comes from connection and that when woven together we are stronger as one.”

Second place was awarded to Vanessa Wairata Edwards with Kapua Hine – a cautious inspirational wonder (mixed media, woodcut print) while Māui Taewa was Highly Commended with Te Ahi Tamou – The Volcanic Fire (digital print on acrylic substrate).

Curator Piata Winitana-Murray was grateful to the support of the artists’ collective Toi Tūwharetoa and Te Tari o te Ariki (the office of the paramount chief) in being able to organise the awards in a short space of time.

Ngāti Tūwharetoa paramount chief Te Ariki Tā Tumu Te Heuheu presented first prize, and his office had loaned seven portraits of past ariki to be viewable alongside the exhibition.

The ringatoi (artists) had about two months’ notice to create a piece to enter, Winitana-Murray said.

Organisers hoped ‘Toitū te Ariki, Toi Tūwharetoa, Ruia Taitea!’ will become a regular event – though a decision on whether this will be annual is yet to be made.