Mataaho Collective win top award at Venice Biennale
Mataaho Collective has won a top award at the Venice Biennale, considered the Olympics of the art world.
Mataaho Collective was awarded the Golden Lion for the Best Artist in the International Exhibition,
at the ceremony and opening of the festival in Venice.
“The Maori Mataaho Collective has created a luminous woven structure of straps that poetically criss cross the gallery space. Referring to matrilinear traditions of textiles with its womb-like cradle, the installation is both a cosmology and a shelter,” Biennale’s jury said.
The jury described the work’s “impressive scale” as a “feat of engineering that was only made possibly by the collective strength and creativity of the group”.
“The dazzling pattern of shadows cast on the walls and floor harks back to ancestral techniques and gestures to future uses of such techniques.”
Founded in 2012, the collective is renowned for large-scale installations, and is made up of Māori women artists: Erena Baker-Arapere (Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and Ngāti Raukawa), Sarah Hudson (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pūkeko, and Tūhoe), Bridget Reweti (Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāi Te Rangi), and Dr Terri Te Tau (Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa).
Speaking on behalf of the collective at the awards ceremony in Venice, Hudson said the award would encourage other artists.
“It means so much to be given a platform here, we know it will inspire many queer and indigenous artists.”
Mataaho Collective said in a statement on social media: “We have dedicated our careers to collectivity and we are so grateful.”
“It doesn't just feel like our award, but recognition of our supportive families, our visionary colleagues, our generous mentors and the indigenous artists of the future.”
Creative New Zealand’s manager of international initiatives and services, Amanda Hereaka, is in Venice and described the win as an “historical moment”.
“We were already celebrating the invitation of our five ngā toi Māori artists as part of the International Exhibition, but for Mataaho Collective to win this prestigious award as well, has just been phenomenal,” Hereaka said.
“This award recognises, on the biggest global platform, the importance and relevance of ngā toi Māori and New Zealand art; we should all celebrate this wonderful achievement.”
The 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia runs from April 20 to November 24 in Venice, Italy.