1 Oct 2017

Karl Johnstone: Ko Rongowhakaata

From Sunday Morning, 10:37 am on 1 October 2017

Gisborne iwi Rongowhakaata is being showcased at Te Papa in a two-year exhibition which opened on Friday. It will be the eighth iwi in residence display at the museum. The exhibition is called Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow and includes art and multi-media installations as well as traditional carvings. The man behind it is Karl Johnstone.

Rongowhakaata kaumātua (elders) In residence, Taharākau Stewart and Thelma Karaitiana. Photo: Tim Onnes

Rongowhakaata kuia holding down the pae of Te Hau ki Tūranga at the opening of the Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow exhibition at Te Papa. Photo: Tim Onnes.

Rongowhakaata senior artist Derek Lardelli whaikōrero during the opening of Ko Rongowhakaata: The Story of Light and Shadow exhibition at Te Papa. Photo: Tim Onnes.

Heitiki, 2017. By Matthew Thornton. Photo: Michael O’Neill. Te Papa. Courtesy of New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Rongowhakaata taonga (treasures), 2017. Photo: Michael O’Neill. Courtesy of Toko Toru Tapu Church and Te Hau ki Tūranga Trust.

Karl Johnstone, the man behind the exhibition.