This year we are excited to run our second art installation alongside the festival. The concept for 2023 is…
Pakiwaitara Matariki (The Legend of Matariki)
Our art installation this year will tell the pakiwaitara (myth/legend) Matariki through whakairo (carving). Around 80 9-12 year olds from seven primary schools on the Devonport-Takapuna peninsula are carving an ambitious set of ten panels under the guidance of artist and master carver Natanhira Pona.
The panels tell the paikwaitara Matariki. They start with Te Kore/The Void and continue through the separation of Papatūānuku and Ranginui to Tāwhirimātea casting his eyes into the skies.
The toi whakairo will be painted with UV paints by a wider group of students from each of the participating schools, as well as by tamariki at other schools who were unable to participate in the carving. They’ll be painted with UV paints and exhibited under black lights at the festival. The whakairo will be installed under the awnings at the front of the senior school so make sure you come and see them glowing under the lights!
The schools who have carved the pakiwaitara Matariki are Bayswater School, Belmont Intermediate School, Belmont Primary School, Devonport School, Hauraki School, St Leo’s and Stanley Bay School. The project has been supported by the Creative Communities Scheme.
The panels in progress
matarikifestivalbayswater.com 