Te Taonga Mauri (The Living Treasure) Trust and Vault Gallery presents
Ta Moko: From Origins to Evolution Exhibition
Opening: Thursday 12 April, 7:00-9:00 pm
The exhibition is open for three weekends only
Gallery Opening Hours
Friday 13 - Sunday 15 April, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Friday 20 - Sunday 22 April, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Friday 27 - Sunday 29 April, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Sculpturist and artist Richard OTI Murray, along with the Te Taonga Mauri Trust will present a body of carvings to the Southland region in this Pop Up Exhibition at Riverton Vault this April. Oti has a vast history of projects and his creative work can be found throughout the region and New Zealand. As a Founder and Director of Te Taonga Mauri, Oti has been part of Kura Rejuventation Whakairo (Carvings), gave the Nga Taonga O Nga Matua Tupuna Exhibition at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery and carried out commissions Tamareriti and Te Moananui Pokopoko a Tawhaki for Nga Tahu Seafood in Bluff.
Oti was trained at Te Whare Wananga O Aotearoa (1981-1983) and has spent many years developing and honing his craft. His training came from Lt Rua Kaika from Tikitiki Tuparoa, Ngati-Porau and Mr Kohe Webster from Masterton, Ngati-Raukawa, who trained with John and Pene Taiapa, Tohunga whakairo, Master Carvers. He also learned from Greg Brightwell, Te Arawa/Ngati-Porau and Mr Louis Kereopa, from the Turangi region Tuwharetoa.
He writes of his work:
“Behold the Light”
Kaore a te rakau whakaaro, kei te mauri o te Tipuna Te Whakaaro… The design is not in the wood, but in the life-source of the Ancestors. The Knowledge we experience in the World of Ritual, an experience of oneness with People, with Creation and with Io, God is the knowledge that comes to us from the Third Basket Of Knowledge, Te Kete Tuaatea, the basket of knowledge which is beyond space and time.
