Maori art exhibition part of learning

Toi whakairo artist Peter Akurangi is showcasing his carving at Ahua art exhibition for Te Wananga o Aotearoa fine arts students. Photo / Ben Fraser

Hinemoa St has been the centre of attention this week with the opening of Ahua, a student-driven Maori art exhibition.

Te Wananga o Aotearoa Maori and Contemporary Arts tutor Regan Balzer said the exhibition, near the City Focus, was a great opportunity to showcase the extreme talent of the students.

"This exhibition showcases the work of Level 4 to 7 students doing either their certificate, diploma or degree. The standard is amazing, and the feedback we have had so far has been great," she said.

"It's nice to be able to showcase the quality of work that is coming out of Te Wananga o Aotearoa. We were fortunate to have been able to secure this venue and paint it and prep it.

"We have specialist teachers for carving and weaving and that is why our standard is so high - our teachers are still practitioners of the arts."

Te Arawa artist Peter Akurangi is one of the many talented student artists showcasing their work at the three-week exhibition.

"One day I just woke up and thought, it's time to do this," he said.

After more than 20 years as a carver, 47-year-old Mr Akurangi is almost at the end of the four-year fine arts degree at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

"We had to create an art exhibition as part of one of our last papers. It's given a great insight into how exhibitions are structured and the methodologies we need to use to put it together. It's an exercise in trial and error - the more exhibitions you put together the better you become. That's the whole point of learning, you just have to keep practising and practising."

Mr Akurangi said once he finished his degree he planned to study his diploma of teaching, before moving on to his masters of indigenous culture.

Ahua is open between 10am and 4pm until December 5.