Māori Artists Present "KOHĀ Moana" in Munich
Munich Jewellery Week is featuring "KOHĀ Moana" by Māori artists Neke Moa and Stevei Houkāmau, exploring wellness and ancestral connection through adornment. The exhibition uses materials from the natural environment and draws on both customary and contemporary Māori processes. It's notable for deepening ties between people, knowledge keepers, and the environment while spotlighting indigenous voices in the global art scene.
The concept of "koha" is a vital aspect of Māori culture, representing a gift or contribution that signifies gratitude, reciprocity, and the strengthening of relationships. The term for the exhibition, "KOHĀ," has been stylized with a macron over the 'a' to emphasize "hā," meaning the breath or essence of life, extending its meaning to a celebration of life and connections. These presentations are not just exhibitions but have been described as activations and performances, designed to create a reciprocal exchange between the adornment, the makers, and the audience. Artist Neke Moa (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Kai Tahu, Tūwharetoa) is an adornment and object artist who predominantly works with pounamu (New Zealand jade), shell, stone, bone, and wood. Her practice is deeply connected to the environment, gathering materials from the beaches, bush, and mountains of Aotearoa (New Zealand) to embed stories and cultural knowledge into her work. Moa has a significant international presence, having previously exhibited at Munich's prestigious Schmuck exhibition and winning the coveted Herbert Hofmann Prize in 2023. Stevei Houkāmau (Ngāti Porou, Te Whanau a Apanui, Rangitane) is an uku (clay) artist whose work focuses on the ancestral and spiritual connections to the whenua (land). Since beginning her journey with uku in 2011, her practice has been distinctive for its carved surface designs that draw upon Tā Moko (Māori tattoo) and Tatau (Samoan tattoo), treating the clay as skin to tell stories of genealogy and kinship. Houkāmau has represented Aotearoa at various international indigenous art gatherings and was the recipient of the Kingii Tuheitia Portraiture Award in 2023. Munich Jewellery Week, running from March 4th to 8th, is considered one of the most important global events for contemporary jewelry, attracting artists, collectors, and curators from around the world. It is an independent, artist-run initiative known for its experimental and innovative presentations in various locations across the city, from galleries to unconventional spaces. The inclusion of artists like Moa and Houkāmau highlights a growing recognition of indigenous voices and perspectives within the international contemporary jewelry scene.
