February 15 – March 26
Artists: Marwin Begaye, Alexis Neal, and Vanessa Edwards
Virtual Artist Talk: Friday, March 11
Reception: Friday, March 18, 6-9pm
Location: Art + Literature Laboratory, 111 S Livingston Street Suite 100, Madison, WI
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou ka ora ai te iwi – with your basket and my basket the people will thrive.
The title comes from a Maori whakatauki (proverb) that speaks to sharing of resources and knowledge to ensure the wellbeing of all people involved.
This is what we do culturally, iwi to iwi and clan to clan.
As indigenous printmakers who have developed our practices over 20 years we approach the making process with our cultural lens intact, developing our narrative through our art.
We share our knowledge and energy, we host and take care of each other. We support one another so that the practice of print will not only be sustained, but prosper wherever we are in the world. This is a collective approach, highlighting the idea that we are a part of something greater than ourselves. Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou collectively showcases three indigenous voices in one space and speaks to relationships between peoples, our environment and our culture over time.
The fourth voice featured is a representation from Toi Whakaata – a Maori print collective from Aotearoa (NZ), established in 2006. This collective was the indirect result of Professor John Hitchcock and Melanie Yazzies influence and encouragement at the time and epitomises the cyclic connection between us and our art practises.