Pacific Arts Centre is hosting Cook Islands artist and master carver Mike Tavioni and his wife Mama Awhitia Tavioni as part of their Moanaroa Artists in Residence 2024 programme.

In a statement, Cook Islands Heritage and Arts: Te Toki Tupuna says they are proud to support this community engagement and outreach initiative.

In a statement the centre said they were honoured to host master artists, knowledge-holders, Cook Islands Ta’unga Papa Mike and Mama Awhitia as their Moanaroa Artists in Residence 2024.

Papa Mike is a Cook Islands (Nukutere) arts and cultural icon.

 He is a master artist and knowledge-holder, with a career spanning more than 50 years.

He is renowned for his skills as a master carver, painter, composer, orator,poet and writer.

Mama Awhitia is a master artist and knowledge-holder in her own right – gifted with the ability to recount the history and genealogy of her peoples.

She is a master carver, whose intricate motifs and patterns share the stories of her Tūpuna

The couple founded Gallery Tavioni & Vananga – a gallery and cultural arts centre on the island of Rarotonga. The space has become a home for the learning and sharing of indigenous arts, storytelling, exchange and values, with a focus on the younger generation

Their residency will include free community talks, hosted at Tav Pacific and the Centre for Pacific Languages.

They will also connect and create works, alongside fellow master artists and the centre community.

The Moanaroa Artists in Residence programme is supported with funding from Creative New Zealand.

Cook Islands Heritage and Arts: Te Toki Tupuna director Gina Tavioni Bamber will be accompanying Papa Mike and Awhitia Tavioni on their travels.

“I am looking forward to the uplifting experiences planned for these two living treasures. It’s always a privilege for me to get to be with them and support them on their international travels. Through these wonderful collaborations I’ve met so many great people and extended my understanding of the real impact Uncle Mike and Aunty Awhitia have made in the space of cultural art, traditional life skills and indigenous knowledge.”

The residency will commence on Tuesday, November 26.

Meanwhile, earlier this week HE Laurence Beau, French Ambassador to Aotearoa accompanied by Agathe Hitchon, Political Advisor, visited Gallery Tavioni in Nikao.

This visit, the Ambassador and Agathe were introduced to the newly established not for profit organisation Cook Islands Heritage & Arts: Te Toki Tupuna in the old whale building next door to Gallery Tavioni.

The visit featured good conversation and learnings, plus a proud showing of ‘Taonga: An Artist Activist’ by GlendaTuaine MoNewport Motone Productions. Release