Taa e kōrero ana : marks that speak : an exhibition report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Māori Visual Arts at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2023
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Massey University
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Abstract
This exhibition report is in support of the exhibition Taa e kōrero ana - Marks that speak held at Edith Gallery, Whanganui 30th September - 14th October 2023. It outlines the research that underpins the exhibition and personally peels back the layers of colonisation within my upbringing and print practice as a colonised Māori printmaker. I have a 20 year career as a printmaker and am a founding member of Toi Whakaata - Māori print collective established in Whanganui in 2006. Over that time we have continuously discussed what is Māori printmaking? How can we ground our print practice within a Māori framework in an authentic way that maintains the integrity of both the print process and Māori world view. Nearly 20 years later this research contributes to that discussion by looking carefully at the introduction of the printing press albeit a letter press, and finally outlining aspects of a Māori approach to printmaking as developed over time. Formally, this is a historical account of the introduction of the printing press to Aotearoa in the early 1800's and the implications within Māori culture. Introduced by the missionaries I critically discuss the need for, and the creation of a written Māori language to evangelise and civilise the Māori people. The introduction of literacy and text into Aotearoa had some expected and unexpected outcomes that are discussed further. The reclamation of text as visual culture is explored through artists' models and a brief reflection on previous bodies of work made within my career since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2002. This is followed by an in depth analysis of Social Amnesia, my first year MMVA exhibition in 2019 and finally Taa e kōrero ana - Marks that speak, 2023. The research and exhibition sheds light on the dual worlds I have had to navigate as a Catholic Māori woman and reflects on the effects of colonisation through religion, education and media. This work is a purposeful step towards decolonising myself through my print practice and I hope it will be able to assist others in doing the same.
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Keywords
Māori Masters Thesis