Sarjeant Happenings: Puanga exhibition and events celebrate Māori new year

Sarjeant Gallery programmes and engagement curator Cecelia Kumeroa has curated an exhibition and series of events celebrating Puanga.

There is pause for reflection as the sunlight dances on the awa, glistening like stars in the sky.

This universal natural phenomenon has inspired the latest exhibition offering and series of events celebrating Puanga at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery: Kanapa ki Runga - Kanapa ki Raro. The show title speaks to the dynamics that exist in the celestial systems above us and how they reflect and shimmer within the earthly realm.

Through contemporary and traditional art forms, storytelling and kaupapa-led events, the exhibition explores themes of renewal, light, ancestral connection and future dreaming. Developed by the Sarjeant Gallery’s programmes and engagement curator Cecelia Kumeroa, this is a powerful show of new and historical works to ring in the Māori new year, celebrating the gallery’s history of programming led by our community.

As curator, Kumeroa has brought together some of the brightest creative luminaries of Aotearoa, strengthening the richly woven design narrative of the building, created through her role leading the co-design process for the new wing with Te Kāhui Toi o Tupoho.

“In this gallery context, we already have the kōrero there. It is affirming the design narrative woven for the gallery here, with the tioata inserts and the glistening black facade. The word ‘kanapanapa’ is the same word for shimmering water and shimmering stars in the sky.”

The works traverse the mystical storytelling built around our celestial star systems and the creation of the world, as well as the history of the gallery site, concepts of home, the relationship between Puanga and the gallery’s namesake star Rehua, and much more. It is a show that embodies the intention of the gifted name, Te Whare o Rehua, the house of inspiration. It is bound to capture the imagination of the whole whānau from tamariki to kaumātua.

Of note, Maiangi Waitai has created a sculptural figure that represents a personified Rehua, connoting the divine in the human.

Aaron Te Rangiao Gardiner riffs on an ancient story which explores the knowledge of net making and fishing that came from divine sources – inspired by a found audio track from a 45 inch record. The audio recording will play through the gallery as a multimedia experience.

Natasha Keating has made a work using reclaimed materials, referencing the nine stars of Matariki connected to Papatūānuku with an umbilical cord.

Other notable luminaries of New Zealand art contributing to this show via the collection are Wi Taepa (NZOM) and writer and photographer Colleen Lenihan.

The Matariki and Puanga period allows us to deepen our connection with the natural rhythms of the seasons in Aotearoa. Puanga, also known as Rigel, is part of a bigger constellation that makes up a waka formation with the Matariki cluster at the front and Puanga at the back. When we see these stars rising in the morning winter skies, it places us in the now-time and can indicate important environmental cues as to how we can better live in tune with the natural world. It is also a period of remembrance for those who are no longer with us physically.

Also included from the collection, acknowledging artists who have passed on, are Marilynn Webb and Fred Graham.

Alongside the exhibition, Kumeroa has developed a series of events that range from artist talks and wānanga to weaving and drawing workshops. This is a show that will leave you inspired and then welcome you to deepen the learning. There is so much to explore, as Kumeroa said: “You will have to come in and experience it for yourself”.

She adds: “Thanks to Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery team and to all the artists for their awesome work.”

The exhibition is open now and runs until Sunday, September 21.

Featured artists: Aaron Te Rangiao Gardiner, Robert Jahnke, Isaiah Barlow, Israel Tangaroa Birch, Maiangi Waitai, Maihi Potaka, Matthew McIntyre Wilson, Melanie Tangaere Baldwin, Natasha Keating, Ngahina Hohaia, Rangi Kipa, Russ Flatt, Ta Piri o Te Rangi Pirikahu, Te Ururangi Rowe.

Highlights of the Kanapa Ki Runga – Kanapa Ki Raro exhibition and event series include:

• Weaving Demonstration: Matthew McIntyre Wilson on Thursday, June 19
• Puanga: Ngā Kura Huna – Hidden Gems in the Stars with Āwhina Twomey on Thursday, June 19
• Stone Carving Workshop: Kohatu Wānanga With Aaron Te Rangiao on Saturday, June 28
• Presentation and Workshop: Poi Kia Mau on Saturday, July 12
• Weaving Demonstration: Raranga Whakairo on Wednesday, August 13
• Plus Puanga focused events for the school holidays.

All events are listed on the website sarjeant.org.nz.