Tairāwhiti Arts Festival’s Te Ara i Whiti bringing warmth to all

Artworks from Te Ara I Whiti 2023 (pictured front to back) As Does She by Amio Renatī, Hiwa-i-te-Rangi by Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, and Haka with the Stars by Erena Koopu.

Story supplied by Tairāwhiti Arts Festival

There’s something about Te Ara i Whiti that draws people in their thousands to wander through the works, stop and ponder, chat about them, and often come back for more. The interactive arts experience that celebrates contemporary design and connections to place is a key part of the Tairāwhiti Arts Festival.

Whānau, teens, kuia and kaumatua from all over the district are drawn to the experience, that has once again been curated by Melanie Tangaere-Baldwin.

Now in its sixth year, Te Ara i Whiti has grown significantly in scale and intent, with a diverse range of artistic disciplines and styles breathing life and wonderment into the experience of sculpture. It has become an exhibition of significance on the national arts calendar, continually showing new works by some of Aotearoa’s most celebrated artists.

This year the line-up is as exciting as ever, bringing in artists from across the motu. Featured artists include Ngaroma Riley, Etanah Lalau-Talapa, Rihari Campbell Collier, Talia Smith, Jade Townsend, Erena Koopu, Ngaumutane Jones, Rene McDonald, Sione Monu and Tangaere-Baldwin. Koopu and Tangaere-Baldwin are the only returning artists.

“One of my main priorities is to expose our community to the best art experience that I can,” says Tangaere-Baldwin. “Last year Sarah Hudson was a contributing artist, and this year she and Mataaho Collective won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. Many who come and look at the work don’t know how well-known some of these artists are outside of our community.”

It drives her to constantly raise the bar.

“Our community has become more discerning in their expectations, which pushes us to up the game every year. I love that.”

It’s always exciting for Tangaere-Baldwin to see the collective joy from those enjoying the exhibit and she says she feels the warmth from the many who come down to Te Ara i Whiti regardless of the weather.

“They come because it is a bright light in town at the end of winter. Our town goes through a lot over those colder months - it is really lovely to bring something big and bright and beautiful to life.”

The scale of Te Ara i Whiti continues to grow both in size and kaupapa.

“Because of the political environment we are in at the moment, I asked the artists to create works that speak of aroha [love] and kotahitanga [unity] so that everyone felt cared for in this big public space. I am excited to experience the wairua [soul] of the exhibition this year.”

Being given the freedom to grow with the festival has been huge for Tangaere-Baldwin.

“I think it has given me a massive understanding of my capabilities and my confidence has grown exponentially with each one,” she says.

“I love working through the ideas with the artists.”

Most of the artists taking part are not sculptural artists, so she says it can be daunting for them to turn to a new art form.

“My knowledge base is growing each year as to the potential of sculptural work.”

She works very closely with acclaimed artist and lighting designer Angus Muir to help the artists bring their artworks to life.

“Angus’ vast knowledge of architecture, engineering and material plays a massive part in getting the artworks from paper to sculpture.”

Tangaere-Baldwin feels immense pride in Te Ara i Whiti and its artists.

“And I am so grateful to [arts festival chief executive and artistic director] Tama [Waipara] and [festival director of business and marketing] Eddie [Ashwell] and everyone at the festival for supporting and allowing me to grow into this role.”

WHAT: Te Ara i Whiti

WHERE: Kelvin Park, cnr Stout St and Fitzherbert St

WHEN: October 4-13, 2024