September 03, 2012
Young artists get cash from Te Waka Toi
Te Waka Toi’s annual awards on Saturday celebrated not only the achievements of kaumatua like supreme winner Timoti Karetu but also emerging artists.
Painter Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Kai Tahu and Rangitane won a Nga Karahipi a Te Waka Toi scholarship worth $4000 to help with her Masters studies at Massey University’s Te Putahi-a-Toi schools of visual arts in Palmerston North.
The other scholarship went to Gisborne based Kingi Pitiroi of Ngati Tuwharetoa, whose work include taa moko, sculpture, painting, reo Maori and kapa haka.
He is currently practicing ta moko under the guidance of Derek Lardelli and working towards a Certificate in Studio Workshop at Toihoukura School of Maori Visual Arts.