Thousands flock to see Maori art

Rotorua weavers featured at the biennial Maori Art Market in Wellington.

They were part of a Maori artists' movement that attracted more than 9000 visitors to the biggest collection of contemporary Maori art ever assembled.

The work included paintings, glassware, greenstone, jewellery, pottery, carving, weaving, opera, music, cuisine, story-telling and a fashion parade.

National Weaving School (Te Rito) tutor Teresa Murray said Te Arawa weavers included her co-workers Edna Pahewa, Hectorini Mulligan and Makere Taare. Also exhibiting were Tina Wirihana, Matekino Lawless, Emily Schuster, Hectorini Mulligan and Cathy Schuster.

Mrs Murray had four pieces for sale and sold two of them. As well as the rapaki (shoulder cape) she sold a piupiu for $1900.

Te Rito head tutor Edna Pahewa said the highlight was the fashion show. It reflected a diverse range of weaving.

Maori Art Market creative director Darcy Nicholas said artists reported strong sales.

While many of the smaller and lower-priced items bought by tourists wanting permanent reminders of their Rugby World Cup tour of New Zealand, there were some serious collectors picking up new pieces by internationally recognised artists.

Contemporary Maori art is becoming a movement where the artists can get together every two years and, with the work becoming increasingly recognised by serious art collectors locally and internationally, buyers were keen to see new work by the established artists,

The biennial Maori Art Market is providing inspiration and a pathway for young and emerging contemporary Maori artists who are determined to make a career in the arts world.

With more than 200 artists displaying their work, the event has become this country's largest gathering of contemporary Maori artists and will coincide with the final pool games and the quarter-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

An influx of tens of thousands of international rugby tourists is expected during the event, which will provide an opportunity to showcase Maori culture through contemporary Maori art, and enable visitors to talk to the artists and buy genuine Maori items to take home as mementos.