“Māori art gives me my culture”

23 November 2009
Rawiri Maukau (Ngāti Pourou) has just graduated from Toihoukura Māori Art School at Tairawhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne with a Certificate in Studio Workshop Studies.

Rawiri, who also attends the Vanessa Lowndes Centre in Gisborne, has spent the past three years studying fulltime towards the certificate. Now, he’s looking forward to setting up a studio workshop with the centre’s support so he can practise his art and earn an income from it.

“I would love to have my own studio where I can paint and carve,” Rawiri says. “I would also like to have a solo exhibition and sell more of my work.

“I worked hard at Toihoukura and the tutors were very helpful. They taught me good techniques and how to do wood carving. I carved a taiaha of my tipuna and the artist Derek Lardelli blessed it. It’s on the wall of my house now.

“Māori art gives me my culture. Making art keeps my mind occupied and it makes me happy. I especially love doing sketches of Māori women and using all sorts of colours. I also enjoy carving.”

In his first year at Toihoukura, Rawiri studied many concepts of Māori art – from painting and sketching Māori forms and designs to carving totara wood. He also learned moteatea (ancient chants) and waiata (songs).

In 2008, Rawiri returned to Toihoukura  and concentrated on painting, drawing inspiration from Picasso, fellow Māori artists and his tipuna. Six of his works – all portraying Māori women – were exhibited at Toihoukura. One of the works was of his late grandmother, Otini Maukau. All the works were bought by the Vanessa Lowndes Centre and now grace its walls.

In his final year, Rawiri continued learning to use a variety of different materials, says Steve Gibbs, Principal Tutor at Toihoukura and Rawiri’s tutor for the past two years.
 
“He is very competent with paint and colour and this year, he produced an excellent series of self-portraits. His real passion is for carving where he has produced a series of works that have special significance to him.

“Rawiri has a lot of creative energy and he is always happiest when making art.”

Kemara Keelan, Programme Co-ordinator at the Vanessa Lowndes Centre, says staff identified Rawiri’s talent, and encouraged him to approach Toihoukura to see if it was possible to become a student there. Staff also approached Work and Income to assist with the cost of the course.

Kemara says that completing the course has been a great achievement for Rawiri. He also applauded Toihoukura for enabling Rawiri to study there and giving him the support he needed.

“Now that he has finished his studies, the centre will continue to support Rawiri so he can keep on painting and developing his skills, hold exhibitions and become self-employed.”