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Taarati Taiaroa
is an Independent Curator & Artist with a research-­based practice that utilises archives and place to investigate small narratives and exhibiting histories. Her current research Explores Māori Minimalism and seriality.



Qualifications


BFA (Hons) | MFA (Hons)
Elam School of Fine Arts
MA – Museums and Cultural Heritage
The University of Auckland



RESIDENCIES


JAN - MAR 2021
SUMMER RESIDENT. Blue Oyster Art Project Space in association with the Dunedin School of Art

NOV 2019
ARTIST IN RESEIDENCE.
Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE), Massey University, Palmerston North

GOVERNANCE


SEPT 2021 – PRESENT
Trustee. Blue Oyster Art Trust

AUG 2012 – FEB 2016
Co-director. RM Gallery & Project Space, Auckland






Selected writing


Taiaroa, T. (2022). ‘Chronology’ in Toi Tū Toi Ora, Contemporary Māori Art. Edited by Nigel Borell with Moana Jackson and Taarati Taiaroa. New Zealand: Penguin.

Taiaroa, T. (2021). ‘The Life & Work of Matt Pine: Openness, Restraint and Clarity of Intent’. Art New Zealand. Number 180, Summer 2021-2022.

Shingade, B. & Taiaroa, T (Eds). (2020). IT'S AS IF WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER. Auckland, New Zealand: ST PAUL St Publishing.

Taiaroa, T. (2020). ‘Making Māori Art History’. Art Toi. Number 2, November 2020: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. p. 14-17.

Taiaroa, T. (2019). ‘Māori Culture and the Contemporary Scene’. Crafting Aotearoa. Edited by Karl Chitham, Kolokesa U Māhina-Tuai and Damian Skinner. Wellington, New Zealand: Te Papa Press. p.207-208.

Taiaroa, T. (2018). ‘An edited interview with Faamele Etuale’. Artspace: The River Remains; ake tonu atu exhibition room sheet.

Taiaroa, T. (2017, 18 October). John Panting, Art & Object: The Glen Schaeffer Collection Catalogue, p.125.

Taiaroa, T. (2017, 6 April). Michael Parekowhai: Oritetanga, Art & Object: Important Paintings and Contemporary Art Catalogue, p.78.

Taiaroa, T. (2016). ‘Conversational Research: Praxis & Emergence’, A Year of Conscious Practice. Retrieved from http://ayearofconsciouspractice.com/texts/conversational-research-praxis-emergence

 Taiaroa, T. (2016, November). ‘Matt Pine: Placement Projects revisited.’ Off the Wall. (no.13). Retrieved from: http://arts.tepapa.govt.nz/off-the-wall/10520/matt-pine-placement-projects-revisited

Taiaroa, T. (2015).  A Centre for Māori Art: The University of Auckland Tukutuku. Gus Fisher Gallery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Taiaroa, T. (2013). Shape Analysis. Sydney, Australia: Breenspace.

Mckay, B., Jack, F., Taiaroa, T. (2012). ‘War Memorial Wharenui and Wharekai’. In Indigenising Knowledge for Current and Future Generations: Symposium Proceedings March 2012. Auckland, New Zealand: Te Whare Kura: Indigenous Knowledges, Peoples and Identities Thematic Research Initiative; The University of Auckland; and Ngā Pae o te Māramantanga, New Zealand’s Indigenous Centre of Research Excellence, The University of Auckland, New Zealand, pp.80-93.

Taiaroa, T., Williams, T. (eds.). (2011). components of a special collection. Auckland, New Zealand: Taarati Taiaroa and Tracey Williams.

Arps, D., Taiaroa, T., Williams, T. (2010). To wish you a wish with best wishes for kind thoughts and every good wish: Tracey Williams and Taarati Taiaroa talk to Dan Arps about Best Wishes Nora Gee. Projectspace B431, Auckland, New Zealand: The University the Auckland.

Taiaroa, T., Williams, T. “Best Wishes Nora Gee.” In The National Grid #7. Auckland, New Zealand: The National Grid, July 2011, p.53.

Taiaroa, T., Williams, T. (2010). BEST WISHES NORA GEE: a complete collection. Auckland, New Zealand: Tracey Williams, Taarati Taiaroa, The University of Auckland.

Selected Curation


Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art (Sat 5 Dec 2020 — Sun 9 May 2021). Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Assistant Curator, Māori Art to Nigel Borell (Curator, Māori Art).
Te Hā o Te Wao Nui a Tāne: The Breath of Tāne (Sat 19 Dec 2020 — Sun 1 Aug 2021) by Charlotte Graham. Todd Foundation Creative Learning Centre, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Co-curator with Emma Jameson.

He Hītori mō ngā Whakaaturanga Whakatōpū Toi Māori o Nāianei: A History of Contemporary Māori Art Survey Exhibitions (Mon 30 Nov 2020 — Thu 29 Apr 2021). Research Library Display Case Mezzanine Level, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Co-curator with Caroline McBride and Tamsyn Bayliss.
A Centre for Māori Art: The University of Auckland Tukutuku (30 Jan – 28 Feb, 2015). Gus Fisher Gallery, University of Auckland, Auckland. Independent Curator.

Waiver • Flash • Deviate [performance event]. Hana Aoake, Matilda Fraser, Olivia Blyth. Saturday 11 June, 2016. Eastern Art Express. Auckland, New Zealand: Te Tuhi & Malcolm Smith Gallery. Co-curator with Bridget Riggir-Cuddy.

Selected presentations


Taiaroa, T. (2017, 08 September). ‘A typology of Maori art exhibitions.’ Paper presented at Tai Ahiahi /// Tai Awatea: Curating Contemporary Māori Art Symposium, City Art Gallery, Wellington, New Zealand.

Taiaroa, T., Smuts Kennedy, S. (2015, 23 July). ‘The Park’. Critical Forum: Aesthetics and Ecologies for a Future World. Massey University, Collage of Creative Arts.

Taiaroa, T. (2013, 09 August). ‘Kaupapa Māori exhibiting histories.’ Paper presented at ST PAUL St Gallery Curatorial Symposium 2013, Auckland University of Technology: From a history of exhibitions towards a future of exhibition making, Auckland Art Gallery Auditorium, Auckland, New Zealand.

Selected public programmes, workshops & events


Art and Social Change workshop. November 28, 2019. Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE), Massey University, Palmerston North. Presented with Balamohan Shingade.

ST PAUL St Curatorial Symposium 2019: It's as if we were made for each other. October 3–5, 2019. Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Co-convened with Balamohan Shingade.
Curatorial Clinic: Why am I here—in relation with you?, Independent Curators International, Guest Faculty for the Curatorial Intensive Auckland 2019 at Artspace. July 2019. Co-designed and facilitated with Charlotte Huddleston and Balamohan Shingade.

Reflections and Directions, Conversational Research Hui, Physics Room, Christchurch. Saturday 12 November 2016. Presenters: Taarati Taiaroa with Jess Holly Bates, Bridget Riggir with Ana Iti, Bridget Reweti with Salote Tawale, Fayen d'Evie with Katie West. Co-organiser and presenter.

Taharangi Hou | Shaping the New Horizon, Ōtepoti Matariki Wānanga: Blue Oyster Art Project Space, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Dunedin Public Library. Friday 10 – Sunday 12 June 2016. Co-facilitator with Elisapeta Heta.

Master class: The art of service: working in the collective space for collective outcomes. Massey University. College of Creative Arts, Friday July 24, 2015. Design and facilitation of Master class.

The Park artist talk & community workshops in community centres: Studio One, Grey Lynn, Kelmarna Gardens, Green Jam, Parnell, Grafton. April–June 2014. Presentation & Workshop.

Components of a special collection: a discussion on making books in artistic practice, speakers included – David Merritt, Peter Simpson, Mary Louise Brown, Richard Orjis, Simon Eisling, Taarati Taiaroa and Tracey Williams: 09 April 2011. Panelist & coordinator.

Assessing printmaking as a medium and methodology, panelists included: Jonathan Mane-Wheoki (Ngapuhi/Te Aupouri/Ngati Kuri), Peter Simpson, Jonty Valentine, Steve Lovett, Tracey Williams and Taarati Taiaroa; with Fiona Jack (Chair). 24 April 2010. Panelist & coordinator.