Te Ara i Whiti

Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival is proud to announce the return of Te Ara i Whiti.

In 2023 Te Ara i Whiti brings together an outstanding group of artists from across Aotearoa who are creating artworks that speak of home, of connection and of relationships to our environment and each other.

Te Ara i Whiti is an interactive visual arts experience primarily composed of illuminated installations and sculptural works that celebrate contemporary Māori design and connections to place. In 2023 we are proud to welcome Melanie Tangaere Baldwin back as guest curator with collaboration and support from globally acclaimed artist, Angus Muir.

Now in its fifth year, Te Ara i Whiti has grown significantly in scale and intent, with a diverse range of artistic disciplines and styles breathing life into sculptural wonder and play. This installation celebrates our regional connection to light and the creative abundance of Te Tairāwhiti.

“As curator of Te Ara I Whiti 2023, I am interested in delivering an experience for our community. A place of imagining, contemplation and transition – using light, form, sound and space to create a momentary and unique other world – One that exists differently by day and night and moves between high energy and quiet contemplation, sound and silence, neon, sparkle and darkness, hardness and grace.” – Melanie Tangaere Baldwin

Exhibiting Artists

• Erena Koopu 
• Jamie Berry 
• Lissy & Rudi Robinson-Cole
• Maia Keane 
• Ngaire Tuhua 
• Melanie Tangaere Baldwin 
• Natalie Robertson 
• Sarah Hudson 
• Amio Renati