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HE IHOREI O
TE AO MĀORI
DARRYL DLT THOMSON
NGĀI UPOKOIRI, NGĀTI HINEMANU
Darryl Thomson (DLT) is an established contemporary artist and music producer who is proficient in a range of mediums including his groundbreaking work with grafitti, paint and carving skills in stone and polystyrene.
He has a proven track record that spans 30 years and has been the recipient of numerous music and art awards. Darryl draws inspiration from the traditional and contemporary worlds of Māori and continues to move in new directions, “ka mua, ka muri.” Darryl is a graduate of the Toimairangi Māori Art Design School and has turned his attention to fine art, producing a series of tiki that have received numerous accolades.
Darryl has a thorough knowledge of traditional Māori art design and techniques and is acknowledged as an expert colourist. Discussions with his tutor Dr Sandy Adsett would often revolve around the “elusive” red, a nod to traditional usage of kōkōwai.
NAU MAI RĀ KI, LOMBARD
SIAN MONTGOMERY-NEUTZE
NGĀI TARA, MUAŪPOKO
Ka huri taku aro, ki Tāwhirikohukohu ki Tararua, te maunga pūtake o ngā puna ki raro, ka ruku haere ki raro i a Papa ki te hīrere, mai i Arawhata, whākina atu ki te kūrae o Kohutūroa, ngā uri o Pāriri e!
Sian Montgomery-Neutze (Ngāi Tara, Muaūpoko) is an incredible force and proponent of Te Ao Māori me ōna tikanga. A moko practitioner and ringatoi based in Porirua, Montgomery-Neutze has worked across multiple sectors as a Mātauranga Māori Advisor, Visual Arts Teacher, Resource Developer, Te Reo Translator and Project Coordinator.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Mātauranga Māori from Te Wānanga o Raukawa, a Diploma in Whakairo and Adult Education from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts from Massey University, Montgomery-Neutze’s work is steeped in Mātauranga Māori and has been exhibited across Aotearoa, Te Whenua Moemoeā (Australia), Rarotonga, Tāhiti, and America.
Nowadays, you’ll find much of Montgomery-Neutze’s kōrero sitting in the ātea of Te Ao Tāmoko. Regularly sharing her whakaaro on social media, she invites recipients and practitioners alike to think more deeply about moko kanohi practices and tikanga. A staunch earth pigment exponent, Montgomery-Neutze is often in the studio adorning works with whenua, or in collaboration with groups like Kauae Raro, knowledge sharing with other practitioners and exploring the boundaries of earth pigments.
A person whose integrity and values underpin her unwavering commitment to progressing Te Ao Māori forward across toi, tāmoko, education and community, we are incredibly fortunate to be showcasing Montgomery-Neutze’s mahi toi as our opening exhibition of 2023.
Nau mai e te Ihorei!
NAU MAI RĀ KI, TAE WHENUA
ERENA KOOPU
TE WHĀNAU A APANUI, NGĀTI AWA
I was born green-eyed with blonde hair, and never thought my appearance matched the language I spoke or the way I felt. I am a product of Reo Māori movements and became part of the revival of a language and the strengthening of a culture from a young age.
Genetically rich from my Māori and Pakeha whakapapa, I had no choice but to be a creative someday. I love to make a mess with paint and I'm equally passionate about Māori performing arts - these are my preferred mediums. However, I strive on fear and excitement and truly believe this is where magic lives - so anything is possible.
I have grown and now believe and feel that my appearance perfectly matches my voice and the visual languages I speak.
NAU MAI RĀ KI, HAUTUTU
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