Te Whare Pora: a sacred space is an exhibition supported by Norwegian Crafts and Creative New Zealand and developed by Objectspace.

It has been shown at Nitja senter for samtidskunst, Lillestrøm, Norway, Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš The Sami Center for Contemporary Art, Karasjok, Sápmi, and Te Manawa Museum, Palmerston North, Aotearoa.

The exhibition will open at its final venue, Tairawhiti Museum, Tairawhiti, Aotearoa, on 29 November 2024.

Te Whare Pora: a sacred space presents works by artist Maungarongo (Ron) Te Kawa of Ngāti Porou from the past three years, alongside three new quilts reflecting the core pou (pillars) of his practice: Te Whare Pora, the sacred zone of making; Hineteiwaiwa, the guiding atua (deity) for creativity; and Waipunarangi, the source of ancestral guidance and inspiration.

Over two decades, Te Kawa’s distinctive quilting style has explored mātauranga Māori (knowledge) and his whakapapa (genealogy) through bold colour and a tactile application of materials. Breaking the rules of traditional quilt construction, many types of fabric are masterfully stitched together to illustrate scenes from his imagination, his history and the stories of the people influential to his life.

Te Whare Pora: a sacred space illustrates critical ideas within te ao Māori (the Māori world) through Te Kawa’s unique energy and aroha (love) and the utterly democratic way in which he approaches creating. He offers these works in celebration of Indigenous ways of being, seeing and doing.

The exhibition is curated by Zoe Black (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Pākehā) with exhibition design by Turumeke Harrington (Kāi Tahu, Rangitāne, Ngāti Toa Rangatira).