Maraea Timutimu and Te Rahui August present their first dual exhibition exploring the complexity of the Tauranga Moana Treaty Claims as each iwi receive their letters of offer from the Crown.
As artists Maraea and Te Rahui have been confronted and witness to much racial tension and confusion around the Treaty
Claims process. Maraea was once asked by a colleague "Will I lose my house after you people finish your Treaty claims?" Te Rahui had a friend comment "I don't know why you persist with your culture when Maori is a dying race".
On the television programme Breakfast a text comment questioned science taught in Te Reo Maori by saying "let's stop being separate and be one people".
Comments like these assume that there is only one way forward in Aotearoa New Zealand in order for the country to live as "one people". This exhibition suggests that from the darkness of confrontation, ignorance and racial hatred, the people of Tauranga can emerge into the light and experience enlightenment through genuine understanding and a belief that there is a way forward that does not mean Maori must leave themselves behind.
Maraea is a perspex Maori artist of Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngai Tuhoe. Te Rahui is a multimedia artist of Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Te Whanau a Apanui. Both Maraea and Te Rahui have exhibited locally and nationally. Maraea and Te Rahui believe this is a timely exhibition given the Treaty claims for Tauranga Moana look to be finalised this year.
Ka po, ka ao, ka awatea will open at the Creative Tauranga Gallery 6pm Thursday 5 May 2011.
