Poutuu-te-rangi / 30 January 2009 - 27 February 2009

Just in time for Waitangi weekend, an important exhibition of historical and contemporary works celebrates the diversity and breadth of creativity inspired and/or created by Maori is opening at John Leech Gallery. Poutuu-te-rangi acknowledges the months of February and March in the Maori lunar calendar and during this time of harvest offers a collection of salient pieces spanning the last three centuries.
 
One of the most significant examples in the show is a nineteenth century carved wooden panel produced by Te Arawa's most revered tohunga whakairo, Wero Taroi. Wero was responsible for supervising a number of prominent carving projects within the Rotorua region, among them Hinemihi at Te Wairoa (1881) and Rangitihi at Te Taheke, Lake Rotoiti (1871-2). Possibly one of a pair, this piece is a stunning example of the Ngati Tarawhai style from Te Arawa, Rotorua. It is by far one of the most significant examples of this region currently held in a private collection.
 
Also on display is an exceptionally rare surviving fragment of a taurapa, possibly dating from the early nineteenth century and exhibited for the first time since being acquired by the gallery in 2008. Other notable artworks include a pair of elegant Lindauer paintings of Chief and Chieftainess Ngatai, a portrait of Atama Paprangi by C.F. Goldie, paintings by Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon and Shane Cotton as well as a selection of rare adzes, stone pounders and mere pounamu.