San Francisco residents who visited the Toi Maori exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco this past weekend (October 10 - 12) had not forgotten the iconic image of the Maori waka sailing under Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in 2005 with Maori Art Meets America.

The exhibition of contemporary Maori art included works for sale from some of Aotearoa's top Maori artists.San Francisco residents who visited the Toi Maori exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco this past weekend (October 10 - 12) had not forgotten the iconic image of the Maori waka sailing under Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in 2005 with Maori Art Meets America.

The exhibition of contemporary Maori art included works for sale from some of Aotearoa's top Maori artists.It was a collaboration between Toi Maori Aotearoa, Pataka Museum and the de Young Museum. The three-day event involved an exhibition supported by taa moko, gallery talks, a presentation of Maori garments and weaving demonstrations.

The event is a part of Toi Maori Aotearoa's strategy to build on the relationships created in 2005 and to open new markets for Maori artists in America.

Toi Maori Chairperson, Waana Davis said the foundations for exhibiting Maori art at the de Young Museum were laid in 1985 when Te Maori was shown at the institution. Although the museum is in a new building, the realtionship is strong and is one that both parties are keen to continue. John E. Buchanan, Director of the de Young Museum was eager to support the continuation of the link between Maori art and the museum.This was "the first of many projects that will reintroduce Maori back to the museum", he said.

Toi Maori's return to San Francisco was also celebrated by the Ohlone Native American tribe who welcomed the Aotearoa delegation to the de Young Museum. Weaver Kohai Grace will be the artist in residence until 22 October working alongside Native American Mono weavers. "This is an exciting opportunity for me as an artist to share ideas and artforms with other indigenous weavers and also visitors to the museum. My experience here so far has been that people are extremely interested to learn more about Maori art and culture", said Kohai.

Darcy Nicholas, Director of Pataka Museum in Porirua said that the event is important as a vehicle for promoting the profile of Maori art in the United States. "We need to nurture the relationships that we have in America. There is a huge interest here in the vitality and quality of Maori art".

13/10/08