Whakawhiti: Toi WhakaTAA <> Toi WhakaATA

Gabrielle Bellz, Maude Cook-Davies, Vanessa Edwards (Curator), Jasmine Horton, Faith McManus, Alexis Neal.

Whakawhiti meanings are many: (verb) (-a,-hia,-ngia) to transfer, convey. (verb) (-a,-hia,-ngia) to exchange, swap, switch, transpose. (verb) (-a,-hia,-ngia) discuss, deliberate, negotiate - when followed by kōrero (verb) (-a,-hia,-ngia) to cross over, change, interchange, ferry (modifier) exchanging, swapping. (verb) to make shine. (noun) shining.

This exhibition will mark and acknowledge the journey of the rōpū from 2006 in Whanganui, where Toi Whakaata established themselves as Toi WhakaTAA—a small, newly formed group—to 2016 on the shores of Lake Taupō, where they evolved into Toi WhakaATA and established our kōrero of “revealing to light,” and our rōpū grew—to now, in 2026, where we reaffirm our kaupapa and look back at what we were and what we are.

Join us on the 2nd of August 2026 for an artist talk with Curator: Vanessa Edwards.