Tahata’s expressions of whanaungatanga

Gisborne artist Melanie Tahata with one of her many artistic cat creations at her exhibition at Tairāwhiti Museum. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

“There are lots of little Easter eggs in this show, if you spend the time to look around,” says Melanie Tahata of her current exhibition running at the Tairāwhiti Museum.

Named Rima Tekau, it is a sharing and expression of whanaungatanga, of toi Māori and most importantly, aroha.

Graphic design  artist and solo mum, Tahata, who recently turned the milestone age of 50, has put on show a collection of art works completed throughout her life.

There’s a kete she wove with her grandmother back in 1977 and a satin teddy bear she and her mum stitched together in 1996. Lots of techniques are on display including offset relief prints, an outcome of attending a workshop run by artist and author, Jean Johnston.

Tahata describes herself as a driven and focused artist, constantly inspired to embark on new creative paths.  Last year, she joined the Gisborne Printmakers Group who meet on the first Sunday of every month, a move she described as, “incredibly beneficial for my art practice”.

“I did an awesome workshop with Carole Shepheard this year and learned how to do waterless lithograph. For a lot of the prints we can use recycled aluminium to make etchings.   I love the idea of reusing old and turning it into something new.”

Carol Shepheard ONZM is a New Zealand artist, specialising in printmaking. Her collections are displayed both nationally and internationally.

A big purple cat will great visitors when they walk into the exhibit.

“There are a lot of cats,” she said. “I really do draw cats quite a bit,” laughs Tahata, confessing to being “unashamedly a cat lady through and through”.

There’s a glass cabinet display holding Mel’s art journals, something she started doing back in 1992. Tucked in the corner is a large smooth pebble with an intricate self portrait painted. If you look close enough you will spot a smaller stone with a young boy’s face — her son.  Every year she creates an image of herself and her child. Tahata praised Tairāwhiti museum for supporting local artists.

■ Melanie Tahata’s ‘Rima Tekau’ exhibition runs through to December 10 at the Tairāwhiti Museum.