Eight Rotorua students had their work exhibited at the Ringa Toi national exhibition. Image / Ben Balle
Eight Rotorua students had their work exhibited at the Ringa Toi national exhibition. Image / Ben Balle
Artworks by eight Rotorua students are being exhibited in a national exhibition in Wellington.
Ringa Toi Student Exhibition is an annual exhibition showcasing the artwork of students from around New Zealand, with a focus on Toi Māori (Māori art).
Students whose work was featured come from Rotorua Boys' High School,Rotorua Lakes High School and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu.
Year 12 student Ben Balle (Tuhourangi) has returned home to Rotorua after living in Auckland.
It was his first year taking the photography class but he said being included in the Ringa Toi exhibition had opened his eyes to a future in photography.
"It's that feeling of returning home after a long time. This place keeps me grounded and I wanted to capture that environment."
Four of Rotorua Boy's High School senior carving students were selected to participate including Waerea Hohepa who created a tewhatewha (long-handled Māori club) symbolising the importance of holding on to the values within your whānau.
Art exhibited in the Ringa Toi exhibition. Photo / Supplied
Also selected were two poupou (wall panels) and one koauau (flute) produced by Tuhoe Paahi, Jae Williams and Rangikataua Heke, which explored their connections to iwi, hapū and whānau.
Another common thread within their carving was remembering those who have died, carving teacher Mike Green said.
"I was very impressed with the meaning each student was able to come up with as it showed their ability to express their ideas at a higher level.
"Many of our senior students are producing work at excellence level and perhaps next year they will get the chance to exhibit as well."
Art exhibited in the Ringa Toi exhibition. Photo / Supplied
It was not just about the students as on the opening night the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) honoured the memory of Rotorua Boys' old boy Craig Callaghan for being the person who convinced NZQA to hold an annual exhibition of Māori art.
This year marked the fourth Ringa Toi exhibition and NZQA deputy chief executive Alex Bidois said, "NZQA is delighted to co-ordinate Ringa Toi, which celebrates talented young artists working in Toi Māori".
"Showcasing young artists encourages creative expression about our culture and history while celebrating the survival of traditional art forms such as raranga [weaving]."
The exhibition opened in Wellington on September 25 and runs until October 4.
Eight Rotorua students had their work exhibited at the Ringa Toi national exhibition.
Three students from Te Kura o Te Koutu had work exhibited but could not be reached before deadline.
Art Types Exhibited
• Toi wharepora (weaving) • Toi matihiko (digital) • Toi matatuhi (printmaking) • Toi waituhi (paint, ink, drawing) • Toi matarau (multi-media) • Toi whakairo (carving).
