Course syllabus

Nau mai, haere mai. 

Welcome to our Mana Taonga paper, which focuses on Māori visual art from our arrival from the Pacific c800 to the present day. It examines how artists critically negotiated current notions of identity in their work, and respond to new presences and influences in our community, including Christianity, colonisalism, new materials and ideas. Forms including moko, carving, weaving, architecture, film, contemporary art are explored through key ideas such as gender politics, patronage, and repatriation. Artists examined include Raharuhi Rukupo, Te Kooti, Pine Taiapa, Lisa Reihana and Ralph Hotere. We consider the ongoing effects of colonisation and globalisation in relation to the collection and display of our art. 

A core part of the paper is to escape from the classroom into other environments to experience our taonga: Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland War Memorial Museum and of course the wonderful Tane Nui a Rangi which is our university's meeting house on Wynyard Street. The course is not just about the taonga and artists themselves, but also looks into ways in which we can think about them and how they have been written about through time, both orally and in text. 

This course will build on skills you have learnt at stage 1 and so by the end of the course you will be more culturally aware of the history and significance of Maori art - our NZ rep at the Venice Biennale this year is none other that Lisa Reihana - point made! Mana Taonga can supplement a suite of Maori and Indigenous-focused papers in the Faculty of Arts, including in History and Maori Studies. 

All welcome!

Key readings:

Whilst no book is required to be purchased for this course, students are strongly recommended to become familiar with the following texts (all are available through the library system):

Borell, Nigel. Te Ātinga- 25 Years of Contemporary Māori Art

Neich, Roger. Carved Histories.

Mead, Hirini Moko. Te Toi Whakairo.

Pendergrast, Mick. Te Aho Tapu.

Tapsell, Paul. Pukaki.

Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia. Mau Moko.

Assignments: There are two which must be submitted for the course:

1. Case study: due Mon 14 Aug 2017. 20%

2. Research essay: Mon 9 Oct 2017. 30%

3. Exam: Date to be advised. 50%

FAQs:

When are the classes?

The lecture is done in a two-hour block on Thursdays 9-11 while the tutorial is later that day. 

Do I need to know Maori language to do this course?
No, you don't. You'll be introduced a range of terms throughout the course.

Do we get to visit a marae?

Yes, during the architecture section we will try and spend some time in Tane Nui a Rangi, the University's meeting house. We'll also try and get up to Auckland Museum, and down to Auckland Art Gallery to really appreciate the range of taonga around our University.

What preparation should I do for the course?

You should have a look at the recommended books above so you are generally familiar with the field.

How much Art History should I know?

This is an Art History course, and you will be introduced to Art Historical terminology in order to understand the works which we will look at. You will also learn about the context in which they are made. The field of Maori Art History is relatively young (since only 1988!) and there are very few publishing in the area.

How far can I take studying Maori Art History?

The University of Auckland can boast that all three PhDs in Maori Art History (in the universe!!) went through the Art History department, so aim high!! Many of those working in museums and art galleries today also have taken this course at some time, either as students or as lecturers.

Can I come and see the lecturer about the course?

Absolutely! This is expected of you. If you have any questions, come see me.