Archived: Whānau Mārama at Commercial Bay

Whānau Mārama returns to Commercial Bay, celebrating Maori artists over the Matariki observation period.

Facilitated by artist Jade Townsend, Whānau Mārama gathers together Māori artists and researchers under the nine whetū of Matariki to deepen a collective understanding of Māori New Year. Presented throughout the Commercial Bay precinct, the  artworks reflect indigenous ways of knowing and being, remembering histories, documenting the present, and re-imagining the world to come. As a cluster, the artists and works guide us towards an Indigenous Future. 

Throughout common spaces and a selection of stores at Commercial Bay you will find find objects and interventions: moving image works in shop fronts, ceramics on countertops, advertising screens loaded with pūrākau. Take a moment to consider how the artworks connect with the Matariki star cluster and the festival to which it gives its name. 

Exhibitions this year include Maungarongo Te Kawa’s (Ngāti Porou) work Hinetakarua, a large scale textile in the Wheriko laneway, Lissy (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi Robinson-Cole’s (Ngāruahine, Ngāti Tū, Ngāti Paoa, Waikato) crochet sculptures framing Kate Spade, Te Ara Minhinnick’s (Ngāti Te Ata) exhibits Mō Rātou Mā) sculpture and audio work at Yu Mei and Dr Bobby Luke (Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki) is artist-in-residence at NOOK, dedicating the pop-up space to decolonising fashion aesthetics, empowering women in their individuality and inspiring creativity through sentimental design.

This year, every person who visits Whānau Mārama is invited to send a special wish to Hiwa-i-te-rangi the Matariki whetū to whom we send our hopes and dreams. Commercial Bay is donating a beautiful quilt by Maungarongo Te Kawa showing Hiwa-i-te-rangi to one lucky place. Pick up a form at any of the participating retailers at Commercial Bay and drop it off at the Whānau Mārama hub at Season Gallery between 11am and 3pm each day.

Whānau Mārama is a free exhibition, with art tours running daily at 12:10pm from Season Gallery.

Proudly presented by Commercial Bay as part of Matariki ki te Manawa.