This is disappointing.
For many years I've created and exhibited portraits of 'tupuna'. I've also painted many Maori and their children as gifts and given tupuna portraits to Maori people who felt or had a connection to them.
One of the co-organisers of this new competition, the inaugural Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award is the National Portrait gallery whose exhibitions I've previously participated in.
It's disappointing to be barred from entry to this event because I don't have whakapapa links to any tupuna.
Emerging Māori artists, with whakapapa connections to the depicted tūpuna, can submit either an artwork created in the past two years or an entirely new piece of work.
I might also be challenged on the grounds of 'emerging' but that's a very subjective term in the art world. It may mean emerging in a new medium. But I could live with being banned on those grounds.
However there are hundreds of emerging non-Maori artists who would relish the opportunity to showcase their work but will be shut out despite the claim that,
"This award is not just for Māori but for New Zealanders, after a turbulent 2020, now more than ever we are looking at ourselves and realise the importance of generating our own projects from home."
It's not for "New Zealanders" to partipate in. And it promotes a sense that only Maori with whakapapa links should be painting Maori. Good job Goldie and Lindauer didn't get that message.
Oh well. It's a free world (hah) and organisers can choose to give a platform to who they want to.
But seen as this is my blog here's a personal offering from my 'cloak series':
7 comments:
It sounds to me to be discrimination by race. You should complain to the Race Relations commissioner
Absolutely stunning Lindsay!
The tangata whenua Art Mafia are the poorer for your exclusion.
Having seen some of Tame Iti's recent work I'm sure he'll win a prize with his cultural activism interpretation of naive impressionism.
I wonder how many of the Aotearoa intelligentsia have a "Goldie" (AKA Karl Sim) hanging on their wall?
You can be justifiably annoyed, Lindsay. But the way the world is going I'm afraid.
Oh dear the racist divide increases, so sad
maybe your own Exhibition saying No maori artists allowed.
Watch the scream from the Media.
At least you will get a lot of attention to this racism and lies from this organsation
I am saddened by this news as I know the respect you have for Maori and your recent contribution to a very heartfelt loss.
Not knowing what a whakapapa link is, or a tupuna, i can only guess. Based on the second quote, I suggest you submit anyway.
David has a point Lindsay. Submit the painting and enclose a note from your Mum stating you are old enough to make up your own mind. That should work. If all else fails Tigerlil said she will adopt you.
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