Kereama Taepa studied for his Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts at Massey University in Palmerston North, and continued on to gain his Masters degree. Taepa’s involvement in the arts have been broad and varied including bronze technician at the Dibble Arts Foundry and participating in various national Māori arts symposiums, workshops and hui.

 

Taepa taught art within the Te Whare Wānanga O Awanuiārangi Art and Visual Culture Degree for four years and currently teaches within Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Creative Industries Degree in the Bay of Plenty.

 

He has exhibited his art nationally and internationally, and has works in collections across New Zealand and abroad. He has recently unveiled ‘Tohorā’ on the Kāpiti Coast, 2020 as well as 'Pōhutukawa’ on the Tauranga Waterfront, 2018. Other major public works include the ‘a (very) brief history of aotearoa’ sculptures for the Four Plinths Sculpture Project in Wellington, 2016 and a public sculpture titled ‘tichi’ in New Plymouth, 2015. He is a Supreme Award winner of the Rotorua Art Awards 2017, the Molly Morpeth 2D Art Award in 2008 and recently received the Runner Up Award at the National Art Awards 2018.

 

 

Education

 

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Certificate in Tertiary Teaching

Massey University, Masters of Maori Visual Arts

Massey University, Bachelor of Maori Visual Arts - Hons

 

 

Major Commissions

 

2021

Taikākā - Vinyl wrap design, Rotorua

 

2020

Tohorā - Public scultpure, Maclean Park, Paraparaumu

 

Spatial  Design - Glass frieze, concrete path and garden design, Rotorua Airport, Rotorua

 

2019

Whuture Whakairo - temporary in situ art installation, Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island

 

Ngā Hau e Wha - Poupou installation, Waikato University, Tauranga

 

Pou Whenua - Bronze Public scupture, Pāpāmoa Beach, Tauranga

 

2018

AEIOU - Maori alphabet installation, Te Aka Mauri, Rotorua

 

Pohutukawa – Stainless Steel Public Sculpture, The Strand, Tauranga

 

2017

Vinyl Installation, Palmerston North Airport, Palmerston North

 

3D Printed Taonga, Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand

 

2016

a (very) brief history of aotearoa - Four Plinths Sculpture Project, Wellington

 

2015

AEIOU – Maori alphabet design, Rotorua Museum and Art Gallery

 

Tichi – bronze public sculpture, New Plymouth

 

ATM wrap design, ANZ

 

Drinking fountain designs, Rotorua Lakes Council

 

2014

Illustrations, Te Takeretanga, Levin

 

Waipa Toilet Block Screens, Rotorua Lakes Council

 

2013

Redwoods Toilet Shrouds, Rotorua Lakes Council

 

 

Exhibitions

 

Solo Exhibitions

 

2020

Transmission, Object Space, Auckland

 

Te Ao Mariko, Ramp Gallery, Hamilton

 

2017

Whakapī, Pataka Art + Museum, Porirua

 

Insert Coin, Lift installation Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga

 

2016

Geo, Helium Gallery, Rotorua

 

2015

Tauhuna, Art and Body Gallery, Mt Maunganui

 

2013

KABLAM! Rotorua Museum and Art Gallery, Rotorua

 

2006

Re:Context: thesis exhibition, Taketake Gallery, Whakatane

 

2002

Ko Iwi – People, Compendium Gallery, Auckland

 

 

Group Exhibitions

 

2021

Toi Tū, Toi Ora, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland

 

Tora Haere, Waiheke Community Art Gallery, Waiheke

 

Kei te Ora Tonu, Toi Tangata Studio Gallery, Otaki

 

Tuakana Teina, Rotorua Arts Village, Rotorua

 

2020

Nuit in your Neighbourhood (AR exhibition), Toronto, Canada

 

Ebb and Flow, Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Mana Moana (online and public display), Wellington waterfront, Wellington

 

A Mua, The Dowse, Lower Hutt

 

Matatoki: Mata ā Waka, Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga

 

2019

Gathering Across Moana, Trinity Square Video, Toronto, Canada

 

Te Whāinga: A Culture Lab in Civility, A joint exhibition event hosted by Smithsonian Asia Pacific and Auckland Museum, Silo Park, Auckland

 

Scape, Temporary Public Art Exhibition, Christchurch

 

Manawataki, Ahua Gallery, Rotorua

 

Ihorei, Te Matatini, Wellington

 

2018

Art That Needs You, Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga

 

Miles Art Award (finalist), Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga

 

National Contemporary Art Award (finalist and runner up award), Waikato Museum, Waikato

 

2017

In Digi Nous: Virtual Futures, Augmented Realities, Urban Shaman Gallery, Winnipeg, Canada

 

Rotorua Art Awards (finalist), Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, Rotorua

 

Art of Technology, Goddard Centre, Tauranga

 

Whakarongo, Toi Poneke, Wellington

 

2016

Works on Paper, Art Body, Mt Maunganui

 

New Zealand: Kiwi Consciousness, Imago Mundi, Italy

 

VEFA Art Auction, Vauxhall School, Auckland

 

Jokers Wild, Quirky Fox, Taranaki

 

Studio/Gallery Opening Exhibition, Hori Studio Gallery, Otaki

 

2015

Seven, The Artist’s Room Fine Art Gallery, Dunedin

 

Tuku Iho, Bath Street Gallery, Auckland

 

He Toi Reikorangi-Te Atiawa Celebrate Matariki, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae

 

He Kitenga, The Suter Art Gallery, Nelson

 

N8VLab - Oma Rapeti, Haus of Flox, Auckland

 

Dirty Laundry, Pop-up show, Christchurch

 

N8VLab-Oma Rapeti, Pataka Gallery, Porirua

 

 

2014

N8VLab - Auckland, Railway Street Studio and Gallery, Auckland

 

Paperworks X, The Artsist’s Room Fine art Gallery, Dunedin

 

N8VLab – Transforma, The Artist’s Room Fine Art Gallery, Dunedin

 

 

2013

Papa Tipu, Expressions Gallery, Upper Hutt

 

Rotorua Museum Art Award (finalist), Rotorua Museum, Rotorua

 

Toi Waiariki, Creative Tauranga, Tauranga

 

 

2012

Whakapapa, Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga

 

 

2009

Tawharautia Mataatua, Bluechip stadium, Tauranga

 

A Taranaki Focus - The Summer Arts Festival 09 regional guest exhibition, War Memorial Hall, Whakatane

 

Matariki Exhibition, Creative Tauranga, Tauranga.

 

Marariki Exhibition, RAVE, Rotorua

 

Artists of Plenty - Calendar and exhibition.  Fundraising project with proceeds going to Tauranga Women's Refuge

 

 

2008

Got it Sussed, Whakatane Museum, Whakatane

 

On Your Mark, Taketake Gallery, Te Toi Whakarei, Whakatane

 

 

Molly Morpeth 2D Award exhibition, War Memorial Hall, Whakatane

 

 

2007

Space Invaders,  Artstation Gallery, Newton, Auckland

 

Te Peke Koura, Object Space, Auckland

 

Whakapapa, Taketake Gallery, Te Toi Whakarei, Whakatane

 

 

2005

Te Puawaitanga, Thermostat Gallery, Palmerston North

 

 

Father’s, daughter’s, son’s and moko, WSA Artspot Gallery, Hamilton

 

 

The Wanganui Painting Show/Twelve Artists, Te Wa Gallery, Wanganui

 

 

Ngaru Rua, Scott Ormond Gallery, Napier

 

 

2004

Te Tataitanga Matatau, Te Manawa Gallery, Palmerston North

 

Splendid, London, England

 

 

2003

Matatau, Te Manawa Gallery, Palmerston North

 

Whanau/Families/Mothers and Daughters/Fathers and Sons, Te Wa Gallery, Wanganui

 

Opening exhibition of the Wine Country Gallery, Wine Country Gallery, Havelock North, Hastings

 

 

2002

Manawatu Pottery Society Exhibition 2002, Toi Matarau Gallery and Studios, Te Wanaga o Aoteraroa, Palmerston North

 

2001

Te Rei Taniwha, Blue Pacific Gallery, Pataka, Porirua

 

Mata Aro, Te-Putahi-a-Toi, Massey University, Palmerston North

 

2000

A Chip off the Old Block, Blue Pacific Gallery, Pataka, Porirua

 

 

Major Collections

 

New Plymouth City Council

Tauranga City Council

Pataka Art + Museum, Porirua

The Suter Gallery collection, Nelson

Rotorua Art Gallery and Museum Collection (multiple), Rotorua

Massey University Collection, Palmerston North

Te Manawa Gallery Collection, Palmerston North

Te Wananga o Aoteraroa Head Office Collection, Te Awamutu

 

 

Teaching

 

2009 - Present

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (formerly Waiariki Institute of Technology) - Lecturer

 

2005 – 2008

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi - Lecturer

 

2002

Te Whare Wānanga o Aoteraroa - Guest lecturer

 

 

Professional Experience

 

2018

The Space Between Us - Indigenous art residency held in Banff, Canada

 

2002-2004

Dibble Art Foundry - Foundry technician

 

 

Awards and Grants

 

2018

National Contemporary Art Awards – Runner Up

 

2017

Rotorua Art Awards - Supreme Award Winner

 

2008

Molly Morpeth Canaday  Open Art Award - Major Award Winner

 

2002

Manawatu Pottery Society - Award of Merit for entry in the Beginner’s Category and over all Premier Award for all categories

 

Bibliography

 

Books

 

Johnston, J. (2008). He Iti, He Taonga, Taranaki Maori Women Speak. (front cover). Auckland: Pinder NZ

 

Paama-Pengelly, J. (2010). Maori Art and Design. (pp. 20-23). Auckland: New Holland Publishers

 

Newspaper Articles

 

Daughter inspires winning artwork. (29 Jan. 2008). Whakatane Beacon, pp. 1

 

Design captures native bird's fragility. (22 Feb. 2013). Rotorua Daily Post

 

Digi Maori T shirt designer to show at NZ Fashion Awards. (16 Jun. 2011). Rotorua Daily Post

 

Toilets with view of bird life take shape. (6 Jun. 2013). Rotorua Daily Post

 

Website Articles

 

Digimaori at Miromoda. (1 Sep. 2011). The Big Idea

 

Smith, C. (2 Sep. 2011). Expert Eye: Miromoda. Auckland: NZ Herald