KOHA
gifts
Kereama Taepa
Kereama Taepa is a contemporary Māori artist who creates artwork based on customary Māori artforms with a technological twist. Taepa’s works are informed by customary Māori art forms and conventions yet use digital technologies to explore Te Ao Matihiko and it’s relationship toTe Ao Māori. His work at times remains digital through projections, 3D animations, AR, VR and Online experiences and also manifests physically through digital prints on paper and 3D printed works at various scales. His work also combines multiple technologies within installation experiences. Taepa’s product based work includes 3D printed jewelry and taonga puoro.
Julie Paama-Pengelly
Julie Paama-Pengelly is a veteran in the revitalisation of tā moko Māori tattooing. Her studio in Mount Maunganui mixes contemporary and traditional designs and cultivates artists from all walks of life.
With expansive teaching experience, her art practice ranges from the use of symbolic imagery to pure abstraction in graphic design, painting, mixed media, and tattooing.
Over time many misconceptions have surfaced about who has the right to wear and practice tā moko. Julie is one of the first women to practice in the male-dominated field. She is a strong voice for Māori women’s rights and continues to break down barriers to give women a place in tā moko and in the arts.
Ivan Toopi
Ivan Toopi grew up in Taranaki - around Opunake and Ngā Motu. Always being creative, he remembers putting things together with paper and anything at hand - but always drawing.
The birth of his children inspired Toopi to get back into art later on in life in order to pass down culture in a visual way - so they grow up in a way that they are grounded within mātauranga Māori towards self determination.