Welcome to Toi, an exhibition that highlights the innovative and diverse talents of young emerging Māori artists and tauira Māori of Toioho ki Āpiti at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts, Massey University. This showcase features a dynamic array of works across installation, video, photography, and painting, each piece offering a unique exploration of Māori identity and contemporary experience.

The title Toi holds layered significance, encompassing both its Māori translation of “art” and its resonance within the graffiti scene as a term for “toy.” Here, “Toi” symbolises the convergence of profound cultural expression and contemporary artistic experimentation. In this exhibition, Toi represents a bridge between Māori artistic traditions and modern practices. The artworks on display—ranging from immersive installations to evocative videos, striking photographs, and expressive paintings—demonstrate how emerging artists infuse traditional Māori themes with contemporary ideas.

By referencing the graffiti term “toy,” Toi acknowledges the playful and experimental nature of new art forms and the fresh approaches these young artists bring to their work. This duality emphasizes their role in redefining Māori art, integrating traditional elements with innovative techniques to create new and engaging experiences.

Through Toi, viewers are invited to experience how these artists are shaping the future of Māori art, blending heritage with contemporary relevance. The exhibition celebrates their ability to navigate and reinterpret cultural narratives, showcasing a vibrant dialogue between past and present as they carve out new pathways in the art world.

Exhibition Curator: Emily Lyall