Toi Te Mana: An Indigenous History of Maori Art

He toi
whakairo, he mana tangata.
Through
artistic excellence, there is human dignity.



Toi Te Mana is a landmark account of Maori art from
the time of the tupuna (ancestors) to the present day.



In
600 pages and over 500 extraordinary images, this volume invites readers to
climb on to the waka for a remarkable voyage – from
ancestral weavers to contemporary artists at the Venice Biennale, from whare
whakairo to film, and from Te Puea Herangi to Michael Parekowhai.



The
authors explore a wide field of art practice: raranga (plaiting), whatu (weaving),
moko (tattoo), whakairo (carving), rakai (jewellery), kakahu (textiles), whare
(architecture), toi whenua (rock art), painting, photography, sculpture,
ceramics, installation art, digital media and film. And they do so over a long
time period – from the arrival of Pacific voyagers 800 years ago to
contemporary artists in Aotearoa and around the world today. Through
wide-ranging chapters alongside focused breakout boxes on individual artists,
movements and events, Toi Te Mana is a waka eke noa – an essential book
for anyone interested in te ao Maori.



Toi
Te Mana is a Maori art
history, written by Maori, given to the world.

Toitu te
whenua, toitu te tikanga, ka ora nga toi.
When we hold
fast to our land and values, our art flourishes.

Format: Hardback
Pages: 616
Imprint: Auckland University Press
Publication date: 14/11/2024