Exhibition

Taku Ipukarea

31 Jan - 1 March 2105 Bottle Creek Gallery

TAKU IPUKAREA – My Paradise

Turou oro mai, aere mai. Taku Ipukarea celebrates the art and culture of the Cook Islands and 50 years of self governance. Events and performances will be happening at Pataka (from 2pm every Saturday from the 29th Jan - 1 March), including: tivaevae workshop, ei katu/ei making, fashion show, a dance workshop and much more.

The exhibition focuses on some important dates in the history of the Cook Islands: 1821 – the arrival of the first missionaries; 1901 – annexation of the islands by New Zealand; World War One – the contributions of over 500 Cook Islanders to New Zealand’s war efforts; 1965 – self-government in free association with New Zealand; 2001 – the visit by then New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark to the Cook Islands to commemorate the 100 year relationship between the two countries, and the signing of the Joint Centenary Declaration. On display are various art and cultural items from these times.

The exhibition is a collaboration between Pataka Art + Museum, the Cook Islands High Commission, Porirua City Council, and the Cook Islands Community in Wellington, with support from Te Papa Tongarewa and Parliamentary Services.

Click on the link below to listen to exhibition curator Grace Hutton being interviewed about the exhibition Taku Ipukarea on Radio New Zealand. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/20165722/50-years-of-cook-islands-self-governance-celebrated https://www.facebook.com/thecookislandsinnewzealand Images by Alex Efimoff Images by Gerardus Verspeek