Māori and Pakeha artists are contributing works which reflect personal responses to the Treaty of Waitangi, to the MANA TIRITI exhibition, showing at the Fisher Gallery from 22 September - 21 October, 1990.
Initiated in Wellington earlier this year by Haeata Māori Women’s Art Collective, Project Waitangi and the Wellington City Art Gallery, MANA TIRITI focuses on the Treaty of Waitangi and issues surrounding it, and their effect on Aotearoa since 1840. The exhibition will reflect and uphold the mana of the Treaty.
Originally the Māori and Pakeha artists invited were asked to contribute works for sites in the Wellington City Art Gallery. Artists including Kura Rewiri-Thorsen, Robert Pouwhare, Bob Jahnke, Juliet Batten, Gerda Leenards, Rob Taylor, Philip Kelly and Barbara Strathdee produced works which reflect their personal responses to current and historical events relating to the signing of the Treaty in 1840.
The exhibition now travelling to Auckland will include some new responses by Auckland based artists as some of the original works were unable to tour. One of the pieces made specifically for the Fisher will be a work by the artist Emily Karaka.
Also included will be an additional display of historical information and contemporary artwork by local Ngāi Tai artists. An important education programme is being planned. It will consist of two main parts - a forum series and educational tours & interpretation of the exhibition. There will also be a wide selection of resource information available to read and a selection of videos to watch at the Gallery.
This programme is being organised by Project Waitangi Tāmaki Makaurau and Anglican Provincial Bicultural Education Unit. Also happening during the exhibition will be a performance piece for Pakeha by the Auckland Artist Juliet Batten called ‘Sacred Connections the Treaty and Us’ on Thursday 11 October at 7.30pm at the Gallery.
Press
→ Artists demonstrate reactions to Treaty, Eastern Courier, 03-10-1990
→ New exhibit at gallery, Howick & Pakuranga Times, 24-09-1990
→ Treaty evokes a powerful response, New Zealand Herald, 27-09-1990
Download
→ Works from Mana Tiriti, 1990, publication