Rongomaraeroa Marae at Te Papa is a powerful blend of modern and traditional. Photo/Supplied.
A Northland master artist is the subject of a new book launched at the National Library in Wellington earlier this month.
He Toi Nuku He Toi Rangi captures Cliff Whiting's huge contribution to contemporary Maori art. Originally from East Cape and of Te Whanau-a-Apanui descent but long based in Russell,
Whiting's many awards include New Zealand's highest honour: the Order of New Zealand.
Since the death of Ralph Hotere, he is the only visual artist to hold the honour limited to 20 living New Zealanders.
Whiting started his career as an artist, educator and arts administrator in the 1950s. He worked with Hotere in the Education Department's innovative Northern Maori Project, in which artists toured Northland schools to engage young Maori in art and learning. He lent his expertise to many marae renovation projects where one of his hallmarks was involving local people and students.
In the 1990s, Whiting played a key role in the development of Te Papa, where he became the museum's first kaihautu [leader] and was the mastermind behind the creation of Rongomaraeroa Marae on level four.
