Te Ira Tangata: Celebrating the Inner Potential of Our Tamariki
/“Te Ira Tangata:
We Are All Taonga, Born of Greatness
and Full of Inner Potential”
What does it mean to be a taonga, a treasure? How do we express our identity, our whakapapa, our connection to the land and our culture? These are some of the questions that inspired the amazing artworks created by local students who visited The Suter Art Gallery te Aratoi o Whakatū’s exhibition Kanohi Kitea during Term Four 2023.
Kanohi Kitea was a stunning showcase of moko kanohi, the traditional art of facial tattooing. The exhibition features portraits of contemporary and historical figures who wear moko kanohi as a sign of their mana, their status and their pride. The exhibition also explores the history, the techniques, and the meanings behind the different patterns and symbols of moko kanohi.
The students who visited the exhibition were invited to learn more about this art form and its significance for the people of Te Tau Ihu and beyond. They were also encouraged to create their own tohu, or design, that represented their personal strengths and values, as well as their links to their whanau, their whenua, and their culture.
The result is a dazzling display features a selection from over a thousand artworks created by students from St Joseph’s, Nelson Central, Auckland Point and Nelson Intermediate schools. The artworks are a testament to the inner potential of our tamariki, who are all taonga, born of greatness and full of possibilities.
This project was part of Te Hurihanginui, a nationwide initiative to support the revitalisation of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in schools and communities.
Renee Jepson, Te Hurihanginui coordinator, explains:
“Te Hurihanginui is a Ministry of Education initiative addressing racism and inequity built on six principles: Te Ao Māori, Tino Rangatiratanga, Whanaungatanga, Te Ira Tangata, Mana Ōrite and Te Hāngaitanga. It is through these principles this project was born.
Celebrating the rich and legitimate knowledge that resides in Te Ao Māori paved the way for the beautiful artwork you see today. Through meaningful, authentic relationships and collective responsibility kaiako from te Kāhui Ako ki Whakatū planned, wrote and taught an Aotearoa New Zealand History unit on Taonga. In collaboration with the Suter Art Gallery, visits to the exhibition 'Kanohi kitea’ inspired the ākonga to create these very personal stories of their 'potential that lies within'.”
We invite you to come and see this wonderful exhibition and to be inspired by the talent and vision of our young artists. Te Ira Tangata is on display at The Suter outside our Mina Ardnt Education Room over the summer. Admission is free.
