Whakapapa

"Art is a whakapapa. It is continuously evolving from one generation to the next. Art is an expression on one's identity.

Through my work I express the anguish, the conflict, the confrontations, the movements and the development of our culture and people."

Ko Kai Tahu te iwi
Ko Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki te hapu.
Ko Te Aitanga a Mahaki te iwi
Ko Ngati Wahia te hapu.
Ko Nga Puhi te iwi
Ko Ngai Tawake te hapu.

Artist Tai Kerekere is inspired by his heritage and influenced by the many Māori leaders who have shaped the nation over the past century.

Currently, Tai is part at the Preview exhibition at CoCA in Christchurch, which will tour to Webb's Gallery in Auckland and Temple Gallery in Dunedin. He will also show several new works at Māori Art Market, which will be followed by a joint exhibition with Tai's wife, Kaaterina, at Iwi Gallery in Wellington.

The couple recently supported the Te Māori 25-year celebrations, by installing a photographic installation with Toi Māori Aotearoa at the Te Māori Gallery in Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt.

Tai and Kaaterina have their own design business called kedesign. One of their most current and controversial design campaigns created is the ‘Māori Killers' campaign with Te Reo Mārama. Their support for Māori health has led them to work alongside Auahi Kore, designing resources for Auahi Kore, supporting whānau, hapū and iwi.

Tai began his career more than 15 years ago through carving and restoring marae. He graduated in Art and Design Māori (Toihoukura 1998) and was a founding member and manager of Ukaipo art gallery in Gisborne (1999). Tai developed strategies, programmes and wānanga (workshops) for Māori to further their awareness, knowledge and skills within the arts of Tā moko, raranga whatu (weaving) and kaihanga uku (ceramic sculpture).

His experience from those programmes developed into a lead teaching and mentoring position in the youth programme Te Ao Māori at Turanga Ararau Training Facility in Gisborne (2000-2003).

Top: Reparation / Above Left: Made In ??? / Above Right: Tic Tac Tatou.

Major art projects Tai has managed are installation artwork for Rotorua Centra Hotel, whakairo restoration for Rotorua Museum (1999) and Gisborne Museum (2000), First Light Festival, Gisborne (2000, 2001). Artwork for Archives New Zealand, Wellington and Auckland Buildings (2007 and 2009).

In 2003 Tai managed the installation for the taonga exhibition for Te Aitanga a Hauiti Iwi Arts Event, Te Pou o Te Kani.

Tai is a member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. Over the past few years, he has curated exhibitions including: Pulse — Indigenous Art (2007, Academy Galleries, Wellington), and Bloodlines – Contemporary Māori Art (2008, Academy Galleries, Wellington) – exhibition and workshop in partnership with Auahi Kore.

Left: Who Stole The Cookie?