Exhibitions On now

A large-scale, woven installation that is suspended from above and spans a double-height gallery space with a wooden floor and white walls. Woven, grey and reflective tie-downs create shadows and reflections on the walls and floor.

Mataaho Collective: Te Puni Aroaro

Nau mai rā e te iwi e. Rarau mai ki Te Puni Aroaro o Mataaho! Whakakao mai, hau mai ki Te Whare Pora e karanga atu nei. He aho whakapapa, he iho roa. Hoki atu ki te aho tapu o Hine-te-iwaiwa. Whiria he takapau mō te ira tangata e.

***

Experience the ground-breaking artworks of Mataaho Collective – four wāhine Māori artists who have worked together for the last decade.

These monumental installations evoke the histories of water, light, atua, and wāhine Māori. Industrial materials reflect contemporary Māori experience, and showcase the ever-changing nature of customary textile practices.

Mataaho Collective: Te Puni Aroaro invites you into a space of focus, reflection, and layered narratives.

View all Toi Art exhibitions
  • When | Āhea 18 Dec 2022 – late 2023
  • Where | Ki hea Toi Art, Level 4
  • Cost | Te utu Free entry
  • Accessibility | E wātea ana ki
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Wharepaku | toilet – all gender, accessible
    • Some parts of artworks are on the floor, without barriers
    • Floor of first gallery on Level Four has dappled light, and four lights set into it
    • Floors into rear galleries have slight slopes

Making Takapau: Mataaho Collective discuss their monumental installation

Video transcript

  • A large-scale, woven installation that is suspended from above and spans a double-height gallery space with a wooden floor and white walls. Woven, grey and reflective tie-downs create shadows and reflections on the walls and floor.
    1/6

    Mataaho Collective, Takapau, 2022, polyester hi-vis tie-downs, stainless steel buckles, and j-hooks. Commissioned 2022. Te Papa (8-00101)

  • Large sheets of blue tarpaulin stitched together as one hang from the ceiling of the gallery and drape across the floor, resembling a waterfall.
    2/6

    Mataaho Collective, Kiko Moana, 2017, polythene tarpaulin and cotton thread. Te Papa (ME024286)

  • Multiple black blankets are sewn together to form a giant blanket, which hang from a wall and drapes over the floor. The blankets are stitched together diagonally, forming mountain-like patterns.
    3/6

    Mataaho Collective, Te Whare Pora, 2012, synthetic mink blankets. On loan from Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka

  • A large-scale artwork made of marine rope woven together, with various patterns, suspended from the ceiling and draping over the floor
    4/6

    Mataaho Collective, Tauira, 2018, polyester marine rope and cotton thread. On loan from Mataaho Collective

  • Artwork comprising of directional road signs placed together to crate a work of sharp diagonal lines.
    5/6

    Mataaho Collective, Kaokao #2, 2014, road sign vinyl. On loan from Mataaho Collective

  • Pieces of hi-vis tape are woven together to create a large arrow-shaped artwork point from the floor up to the ceiling.
    6/6

    Mataaho Collective, Kaokao #1, 2014, hi-vis tape and cotton thread. On loan from Mataaho Collective

Get our newsletter

Stay in the loop about our wide range of events and exhibitions.

Register

Follow us

Follow our social media channels for a glimpse behind the scenes at Te Papa.

Join Friends of Te Papa

Friends enjoy benefits and discounts including invitations to previews and private viewings.

Join

Donate

Find out how you can support Te Papa through a donation or bequest by becoming a patron.

Donate