The ninth annual national secondary schools’ Ringa Toi Student Exhibition has opened at Te Papa in Wellington, showcasing Toi Māori and Pacific artwork by students working towards NCEA.
“The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is delighted to coordinate Ringa Toi and celebrate talented student artists,” says Jann Marshall, NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Assessment.
The exhibition contains more than 150 artworks from 123 secondary school ākonga around New Zealand, who are working towards achieving NCEA levels 1 – 3. Artworks exhibited include:
- Toi Wharepora (contemporary and traditional weaving forms)
- Toi Whakairo (carving)
- Toi Matihiko (digital print where the reproduction processes have been completed by computer)
- Toi Matatuhi (printmaking)
- Toi Waituhi (paint, ink, and drawing)
- Toi Matarau (shaping and fashioning)
- Toi Whakaahua (photography with no digital manipulation)
- Kaupapa Pasifika (Pacific artwork).
Artworks in the exhibition are judged based on the above categories and awards are presented for the Highly Commended and Commended winners. Visitors to the exhibition can also vote for the People’s Choice Award recipient.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the “Te Māori” exhibition, this year’s Ringa Toi contains an additional category, celebrating Te Māori Te Hokinga Mai – The Return Home.
The Ringa Toi Student Exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 6pm every day until Friday 27 September, at Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington. There is no charge for entry.
“Toi Māori and Pacific visual arts provide important outlets to celebrate te ao Māori and Pacific cultures, encouraging ākonga to stay engaged in their education,” Jann Marshall says.
“Recognising these young artists in an iconic venue like Te Papa is significant for their whānau and kura, showing that Toi Māori and Pacific arts have a place at the heart of one of New Zealand’s foremost cultural institutions,” Jann Marshall says.