A casual observer looking through the windows of Toi MAHARA – the district public gallery for the Kāpiti Coast – could be forgiven for thinking insects and reptiles have taken over the building.
Brightly coloured butterflies hang from the roof. Moths, spiders and bugs of every description cling to the walls of the immediate interior.
Be reassured casual observer; this is no invasion. The insects, Ngā Ngārara, have been painted and crafted by year five and six pupils at Kapakapanui School in Waikanae.
Their work is a collaboration between Toi MAHARA and the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve with the help and support of the Philipp Family Foundation.
This year is the twelfth that children from Kāpiti primary schools have participated in the Toi MAHARA-Ngā Manu Children’s Art and Environment Project, – visiting Ngā Manu Nature Reserve to gather knowledge and inspiration to create art and poetry for display at Toi MAHARA.
Toi MAHARA Director, Janet Bayly says the kaupapa is to encourage the children to explore taiao, the environment, then deepen their experience through making their own artworks.
“This holistic approach aims to inspire their creative thinking, extend their resources for self-expression and strengthen their confidence and self-esteem,” she says.
“Every year has a particular theme for the children to interpret. The kaupapa this year was ngārara – bugs – a favourite theme of children everywhere.”
The visit to Ngā Manu involved a walk through the ngāhere (bush) with ranger Rhys Mills looking at some of the habitats and habits of local ngārara followed by lunch and eel feeding.
Next, at Toi MAHARA the children explored exhibitions and extended the ideas, observations and feelings they had started recording at Ngā Manu.
Art-making workshops were conducted by sculptor Michelle Walton along with Toi MAHARA’s Alex Rundle-Keswick and Kapakapanui School kaiako (teachers). A group also added creative writing with the help of kaiako Keryn Mells and writer Kirsten le Harivel.
As a memento of the project, all sixty children involved received postcard-sized prints of their art works.
They also have the satisfaction of seeing their work exhibited in Toi MAHARA’s community space until 23 August.
“This exhibition is a joyous sharing and celebration of toi mahi created by the tamariki,” says Janet Bayly.
At the exhibition opening, Pat Stuart, Chair of the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve Board thanked the Philipp Family Foundation and those who had contributed to the project’s success.
She described it as an inspiring experience which would stay with the children for the rest of their lives.
Philipp Family Foundation trustee Irene Mackle said she was amazed at the quality of the children’s work and the way that they had interpreted the life-force of insects.
By Kevin Ramshaw