"Maori folk art is a distinctive, widespread tradition in painting and carving that first appeared in meeting houses throughout eastern tribal areas of the North Island just over a hundred years ago. It has obvious sources in both European and Classic Maori art traditions and is a clearly identifiable and vital communicative art, complex in its iconography and significance to its creators."--From preface.
This book is a mosaic or quilt of folk art around the world, from polychrome clay figures made in Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla (Mexico) to the baskets Maori women create in New Zealand, from Japanese lacquer work and decorated paddles to black dolls in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The creative impulse found in three continents, four countries, and four geographical regions are juxtaposed to make up a harmonious whole. The book carries out a detailed dissection of a variety of ethnic, racialized, and gender representations in their contemporary forms.
Up until now books on Maori art have described the work as either traditional (carving, weaving, painting) or contemporary, work produced post-1950s. This book presents a unique focus on Maori art by exploring the connection between the traditional and contemporary, and the place of Maori art within an international context. Maori Art provides a framework for looking at Maori art in a new way and fills a gap in Maori art history - while there are myriad surveys of Maori art there is currently very little critical writing on Maori art and artists. The book is extensively illustrated with over 400 art works, landscapes and meeting houses, many never published before, including 100 specially commissioned photographs from renowned New Zealand photographers Mark Adams and Haruhiko Sameshima.
This is a beautifully presented book featuring some stunning images and concise accounts of the concepts and values of traditional and contemporary Maori weaving. Featuring some of New Zealand's foremost Maori expert weavers, The Eternal Thread: The Art of Maori Weaving celebrates innovation and development of weaving and plaiting as art forms in modern times while acknowledging the technology developed by weavers through the past centuries.
"Describes and illustrates the differences, subtle and profound, between the carving styles of the tribes, and examines the work of each tribal group in depth".
This collection of 15 projects offers children aged 7 and over a range of unique Maori art experiences. Practical skills cover sculpture, photography, design, paint, mixed media, collage and more. Easy-to-follow instructions include illustrations of the steps involved, using everyday craft materials, recycled and found objects. Examples of taonga (treasures) created by leading contemporary artists are shown alongside each project with a brief explanation of the object, its purpose and use in the past and present. While teaching as a museum/art gallery educator, the author had numerous requests from parents, teachers and educators over the years for ideas on how they could teach art and Maori culture to their children. These projects have been compiled in response to those requests, along with research and observation about how children connect with art. By engaging in these projects children will recognise that art takes many forms and can be enjoyed by everyone. This book will appeal to anyone looking for art activities that focus on Maori art and culture, and will suit both girls and boys. An emphasis on upcycling means that the ideas are accessible to the budget conscious without compromising on quality.
"In this book, the carver values the past, works within the communal framework of Maoritanga and respects the tapu nature of what he does; the artist looks to the present and future, practises as an individual within the studio and is concerned with the essential rather than spiritual nature of the work." --Dust jacket.
