Cap'n Pharaoh- Severed heads & Serpents from the great abyss! Pg5 - Tiki Carving

P Paipo Member Aotearoa / NZ Joined: Jun 22, 2006 Posts: 1886	P Paipo Posted posted on Fri, May 8, 2009 3:30 PM Ahoy Cap'n and welcome to TC! Wouldn't you be in our neck of the woods (Aotearoa) if you're on the Eastern side of the Tasman? That's a fine looking crew you have there - I especially like the big guy at the back who has a slight cubist vibe going on. Regarding Whakairo, it is a bit of a closed shop as far as I know. There is the institute in Rotorua, which I think you have to be nominated by your tribe to apply for, and various colleges/Polytechnics do Maori art degrees of varying duration, but I am unsure whether these are open to all comers. We are very fortunate (ie myself and Tama, another local TCer) to be doing an introductory course here in our town run by a local master carver. It is open to all including women, and I suspect some traditionalists probably wouldn't approve of this and I don't think these types of courses are common. I personally believe anything which improves the appreciation and understanding of such a sacred form should be encouraged, but art is quite politicised here in NZ. Most of the stone and wood artists here (NZ) work in a Maori/Polynesian style anyway regardless of our ethnicity as it is what we are surrounded and inspired by. For myself at least, my initial introduction to carving was via Maori pathways and much of my subsequent training and influence from Maori carvers, so it has become something that is reflected in my work. I would suggest spending some time in NZ, studying the art and meeting carvers and asking around. I have found many willing to share if the right approach is made. Of course, you are also already in one of the best places in the world (in a virtual sense) right here on TC - we have some superb carvers with a good understanding of the Maori styles and the chops to match. Basement Kahuna probably has the purest traditional style work I've seen here but unfortunately hasn't posted much lately. Check out his threads, youtube videos from the institute and elsewhere, and this book, which is the "bible" of Maori carving: Te Toi Whakairo: The Art of Maori Carving (edited link...thanks Tikimecula!) [ Edited by: Paipo 2009-05-08 19:33 ]

Ahoy Cap'n and welcome to TC! Wouldn't you be in our neck of the woods (Aotearoa) if you're on the Eastern side of the Tasman? That's a fine looking crew you have there - I especially like the big guy at the back who has a slight cubist vibe going on.

Regarding Whakairo, it is a bit of a closed shop as far as I know. There is the institute in Rotorua, which I think you have to be nominated by your tribe to apply for, and various colleges/Polytechnics do Maori art degrees of varying duration, but I am unsure whether these are open to all comers. We are very fortunate (ie myself and Tama, another local TCer) to be doing an introductory course here in our town run by a local master carver. It is open to all including women, and I suspect some traditionalists probably wouldn't approve of this and I don't think these types of courses are common. I personally believe anything which improves the appreciation and understanding of such a sacred form should be encouraged, but art is quite politicised here in NZ.

Most of the stone and wood artists here (NZ) work in a Maori/Polynesian style anyway regardless of our ethnicity as it is what we are surrounded and inspired by. For myself at least, my initial introduction to carving was via Maori pathways and much of my subsequent training and influence from Maori carvers, so it has become something that is reflected in my work. I would suggest spending some time in NZ, studying the art and meeting carvers and asking around. I have found many willing to share if the right approach is made. Of course, you are also already in one of the best places in the world (in a virtual sense) right here on TC - we have some superb carvers with a good understanding of the Maori styles and the chops to match. Basement Kahuna probably has the purest traditional style work I've seen here but unfortunately hasn't posted much lately. Check out his threads, youtube videos from the institute and elsewhere, and this book, which is the "bible" of Maori carving:
Te Toi Whakairo: The Art of Maori Carving

(edited link...thanks Tikimecula!)

[ Edited by: Paipo 2009-05-08 19:33 ]

Post #452587 by Paipo on Fri, May 8, 2009 3:30 PM