New Zealand Historic Places Trust Information Release
21 February 2008
Internationally acclaimed artist Suzanne Tamaki will showcase some of
her work in a new exhibition at Alberton,
the Historic Places Trust property in Mt Albert, April 16-20.
Entitled 'Native Eye - 21st Century Wahine, Moko and Costume' the exhibition
is a contemporary reconstruction of 19th Century portraits and costumes
created by Suzanne, and photographed by Greg Semu.
"The exhibition revisits some of the 19th and early 20th Century
images of Maori that we know so well, and puts a distinctly revisionist
slant on them," says Suzanne.
"I'd like to think that the resulting images encourage us to look
at things with fresh eyes!"
The Otaki-based fibre artist, who is of Maniapoto, Tuhoe and Te Arawa
descent, has a growing reputation for making beautiful works based on
old clothes and an extensive range of other resources, and is a proud
registered user of the Toi Iho Maori Made trade mark.
"I work mainly in costume and body adornment, and Native Eye is
my first major solo exhibition," she says.
"I'm really looking forward to the exhibition at Alberton which
will open with a fashion show, and feature a range of costume pieces I've
made."
Suzanne has won a number of awards, and her work is in museum collections
in Te Papa, the British Museum and Cambridge University.
Don't miss 'Native Eye - 21st Century Wahine, Moko and Costume' - which
runs at Alberton April 16-20.
Exhibition is free to view, with a special rate of $5 to look around the
rest of Alberton.
Aotearoa: Land of the wrong white crowd
Part of Suzanne Tamaki's first solo exhibition 'Native Eye - 21st Century
Wahine, Moko and Costume'.
Photo: Greg Semu
