Nigel Borell at The Kete Aronui Experience
Within the Maori worldview two things are essential: whakapapa (genealogy) and whenua (land). For Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Ranginui artist Nigel Borell, these elements became very clear whilst on an artist’s retreat in Northland. The result was the exhibition Pirirakau (Bush Beautiful) at the Lane Gallery over September to October 2006.
Borell was initially trained at Robert Jahnke’s Massey Campus where he achieved a Bachelor of Maori Visual Art, followed by a Master of Arts with Honours from the University of Auckland. He has curated several exhibitions as well as written critical reviews and essays, such as those for Tu Mai. He has been one of the Field Directors for the popular Maori arts series Kete Aronui which profiled a range of Maori artists for Maori Television. This year he has returned home to Tauranga, where he has taken on the role of Co-ordinator of Aka Rakai Toi at the Bay of Plenty Polytech, a Diploma of Art programme. His artist profile is also on the rise—April 2007 sees the release of Taiawhio II by Te Papa Press, a sequel to the popular Taiawhio, both of which highlight Maori artists of all generations.
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Kete AronuiKETE ARONUI
From music, carvers, performers, weavers, painters, sculptors, filmmakers, theatre and multimedia, KETE ARONUI is at the heart of indigenous art. A series of 1/2 hour programmes featuring on Maori Television, KETE ARONUI will also have a major presence at Atamira | Maori in the city, as the ‘Kete Aronui Experience’.
This distinctive exhibition will feature the works of some of Aotearoa's most relevant, rising and recognized contemporary Artists. An inspiring collective that combined embodies a vibrant, powerful and thought-provoking sense of awe, passion, culture and identity. At the same time offering an insight into what Maori art looks and feels like in the 21st century while capturing an essence of where Aotearoa art is heading in the future.
‘The Kete Aronui Experience’ is proud to be showcasing a significant group of artists that represent a variation of styles, mediums and forms. Illustrious Painters Rueben Paterson, Sofia Minson, Jamie Boynton, Peata Larkin, Jon Tootill, Darryn George and Nigel Borell will be exhibiting. Alongside Diva Jeweler and fiber artist Suzanne Tamaki and Wendy Whitehead; Pop Art Toy maker, Leon Kipa; The internationally renowned photographer Russ Flatt; The creative handiwork that is Rona Osbourne and boundary pushing multimedia artists Shona Rapira Davies and Diane Prince, and many more are to be confirmed.
We will also showcase the dynamic multimedia performance artist Shigeyuki Kihara, who is best known for her photography series Fa’afafine; In a Manner of a Woman, which we are delighted to be exhibiting. These works have been brought by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in Wellington.
For the first time ‘The Kete Aronui Experience’ will feature a must see collaboration between stencil artist FLOX and artist Tipene Ryan Smith as they merge their creative talents together to create the beautiful waharoa for both the entry and exit of the space. During the three-day event Mouth Painter and complete C4 tetraplegic Wayne Te Rangi will carry out a live demonstration that will no doubt inspire our audience, and at the end of the three days we will auction his work off and the proceeds will go to the MFPA (Mouth and Foot Painting Association).
‘The Kete Aronui Experience’ is situated in the heart of pavilion three. It is created by Maori and tailor made for a Maori audience. The space will be open from 10 – 4pm Friday the 3rd – Sunday the 5th of July.
