Exhibiting Artist: Taryn Te Uira Beri
16 May – 25 July 2025
Exhibiting Artist: Taryn Te Uira Beri
16 May – 25 July 2025
LOVE LAND LINEAGE is a tribute to some of the most important things that make us Māori – our aroha, our whenua, and our whakapapa. On a personal level, this series of works explores enduring themes that have informed my life and creative practice.
These works were inspired by the spectrum of light that makes up the language of colour, our Māori visual language of ancient symbolism that I have been steeped in for sixteen years as a tā moko artist, and also by my tūpuna Te Rauparaha who permeates my consciousness on a daily basis, especially since moving back to Ōtaki in recent months.
During the creation process of LOVE LAND LINEAGE, I battled, dealt with and overcame personal challenges including PTSD, mental health struggles, moving house, loss, family illness, calamity, spiritual warfare, breakups, breakdowns, blessings, and breakthroughs. I have traversed the realms of darkness and light to bring these paintings to the world of form, colour, line, and light.
This collection was painted at the vicarage of Rangiātea Church in Ōtaki, and at Takapūwāhia Pā in Porirua, two significant places for me. I would like to give special thanks to my Rangiātea Church whanau who held space, light, and love for me to bring these works to fruition. Special thanks also to certain whanau and friends who helped me along the way.
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Whitireia te maunga
Ko Raukawa te moana
Ko Takapūwāhia te marae
Ko Ngāti Toa-Rangatira te iwi
I belong to the Ngāti Toarangatira, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngati Rauakawa tribes of the Wellington region, North Island, Aotearoa, New Zealand.
My journey as a professional artist started in 2008 when I moved to Gisborne to study at Toihoukura Māori Art School. The following year, I began a three-year tā moko apprenticeship with Mark Kopua to learn the tikanga, culture, techniques, patterns and designs associated with this cultural practice. I now specialise in taa moko, contemporary Māori painting, and adornment.
I became an independent tā moko practitioner in 2012 and travel extensively to work in Aotearoa (New Zealand) and worldwide at different times. So far, my favourite destinations have been India, Egypt, Tahiti, Paris, Amsterdam, Mallorca, Dubai, New York and Bali. My travels have stimulated a deep interest in the commonalities shared by indigenous peoples around the world.
Having already had so many enriching experiences, I am now focused on living, creating and being in my home rohe of the A.R.T Confederation amongst my whānau, hapū and iwi, and pursuing a more relaxed pace in my life and art practice. My ancestors, Te Rauparaha and Nohorua, are a constant source of inspiration along with Mātauranga Māori, Māori cosmology, te tai ao, our natural world, and Te Ao Mārama, the world of light.
Now based at Rangiātea ki Ōtaki, I am also currently learning whakairo ki Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Carving is a challenging new medium that I am enjoying exploring. The therapeutic aspects of Ngā Toi Māori are currently my main focus and area of interest with regard to my art practice.
More accustomed to group exhibitions, Land, Love and Lineage is my most ambitious solo exhibition to date.
