Unique Ngāi Tahu exhibition opens at The Arts Centre

Ngāi Tahu artists have delivered an immersive, sensory experience in the heart of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.

Te Waiatatanga Mai o te Atua, The Song of the Gods tells one of Ngāi Tahu’s origin stories as written down in 1849 by Matiaha Tiramōrehu. The exhibition opens to the public on Monday 17 June, and will be a permanent feature open for free, year-round.

Six acclaimed Ngāi Tahu artists have reinterpreted Tiramōrehu’s narrative including creative leadership of Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Dr Areta Wilkinson. The exhibition tells, in part, how Papatūānuku the earth mother and Raki the sky father regretfully consented to be separated to enable life to flourish.

Areta Wilkinson says the project was a positive experience for herself and the other artists, enabled by The Arts Centre. “Each artist conceived of their part, but this really is a single work. We used a wānanga process, meeting in the space, and things came together pretty seamlessly. We all wanted to honour the mana of Tiramōrehu and the knowledge handed down.”

A bold, contemporary Māori art project, the exhibition has radically revamped a space in the restored Observatory Tower. After climbing a flight of stairs, visitors are encouraged to linger and observe layers of sound, light, texture and shape, and the relationship between the different objects. Three monumental pou, which are named in Tiramōrehu’s narrative, rise in the space, each in distinct style and materials – Turumeke Harrington’s abstract steel form, Alex Mcleod’s traditionally carved tōtara, and Kate Stevens West’s delicately painted plywood with glinting tacks. Suspended above is Christine Harvey’s laser-cut acrylic kōwhaiwhai design. Ariana Tikao’s original soundscape swirls and envelopes visitors.

The exhibition invites visitors to meet Tiramōrehu’s story first through direct sensory experience of the artwork. More information, in te reo Māori and English, is available online by scanning a QR code.

Director Philip Aldridge says The Arts Centre is deeply grateful to its Māori Arts Advisory Committee, especially Areta Wilkinson, for leadership on Te Waiatatanga Mai o te Atua. “This permanent exhibition is a significant step forward for The Arts Centre and shows what is possible if artists’ voices are heard.”

Te Waiatatanga Mai o te Atua, The Song of the Gods was fully funded by the Rātā Foundation.

Artists include

• Dr Areta Wilkinson (Ngāi Tahu) Curator
• Turumeke Harrington (Kāi Tahu, Rangitāne)
• Alex McLeod (Ngāi Tahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Rangi, Tainui, Ngāti Porou)
• Kate Stevens West (Ngāi Tahu)
• Christine Harvey (Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Moriori, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira)
• Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu)

Opening hours

Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Entry is free.

Due to the heritage nature of the building, access is by stairs only.

Artwork: Te Waiatatanga by Christine Harvey