Toihoukura

Toihoukura is the school of Māori Visual Arts at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and is based in Gisborne, New Zealand. It is one of New Zealand’s predominant Māori Visual Arts schools. Toihoukura has developed a reputation for being an innovative national centre of Māori art practice, but is also known for its involvement in community projects such as wharenui conservation.[2] Students from Toihoukura have worked on Cliff Whiting’s marae at Te Papa[1] and panels used at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.[2] Toihoukura is known for the distinctive style of contemporary Māori art it has developed, as well as its whare wānanga approach to learning.[1]

Toihoukura
Exterior of Toihoukura, Cobden Street, Gisborne
Established1990[1]
Parent institution
Eastern Institute of Technology
Location
Gisborne
,
New Zealand
CampusUrban
Website

History

Toihoukura was founded in 1990 by Ivan Ehau at Tairawhiti Polytechnic (now EIT). Tā moko artist Derek Lardelli joined the staff in 1992, kowhaiwhai artist Sandy Adsett in 1993, painter Steve Gibbs in 1994 and weaver Christina Wirihana in 2011.[3] The school includes the Maia gallery, a koru-shaped space used for exhibitions with a meeting-house style entry way which was the result of a collaboration between Gisborne architect Graeme Nicholl and Toihoukura tutors.[1]

Philosophy

Toihoukura’s philosophy is to make sure that specifically Māori art forms are continually developed.[4] Toihoukura's philosophy is achieved in a wānanga learning environment that encourages each student to develop a strong sense of imagery related to their own ancestral whakapapa (genealogy), while also developing personally and professionally.[4]

Teaching

The faculty currently offers the following programmes:

Certificates

NZ Certificate in Ngā Toi: Ka Tipu te Whaihanga

Degrees

Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts (Te Toi o Ngā Rangi) Te Hono ki Toi (Poutiri-ā-rangi) Bachelor of Professional Creative Practice (Honours)

Graduate programmes

Te Ara Pourewa: Graduate Diploma in Heritage and Museum Studies

Master

Te Hono ki Toi (Poutiriao) Master of Professional Creative Practice

Ruanuku Award

Each year the top student at Toihoukura is awarded the Ruanuku Award. A piece of the student’s work is given to Tairāwhiti Museum through the support of Professor Jack Richards who has sponsored the prize since 1995.[1]

References
  1. Gundry, Sheridan; Jones, John; Taewa, Chris (2012). A Splendid Isolation. Gisborne: HB Williams Memorial Library Book Trust. p. 409. ISBN 9780473226411.
  2. Morris Matthews, Kay; Johnston, Jean (2015). First to See the Light: EIT 40 Years of higher education. Napier: Eastland Institute of Technology (EIT). p. 186. ISBN 9780994127402.
  3. Morris Matthews, Kay; Johnston, Jean (2015). First to See the Light: EIT 40 Years of higher education. Napier: Eastland Institute of Technology (EIT). pp. 183–4. ISBN 9780994127402.
  4. "The History of Toihoukura". Eastern Institute of Technology. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
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