‘We are following in her footsteps’

With speakers Ross Hemera, Puamiria Parata-Goodall, *Areta Wilkinson and others

Cath is our foremost Ngāi Tahu visual artist, both as an advocate and a practitioner. Of the Tovey and Taiapa generation, Cath was a dedicated ceramicist and kai raranga. She was a founding member of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa with the shared aspiration to “nurture, foster and preserve the techniques and the love of weaving with and for our people.” She also led the Waitaha Tai Poutini branch of Ngā Puna Waihanga (Māori Artists and Writers Association) and served on Te Taumutu Rūnanga as the chair, and on Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

These speakers will share the signficant part Cath has held in their lives and mahi toi; as an aunty, a leader, and a teacher. Her contributions to Ngāi Tahu arts and artists, her marae Te Pā o Moki, and iwi Ngāi Tahu have been enormous. Toi Māori and ringatoi Māori will be enjoying the benefits of her work for many generations to come.

This talk is on the final day of the significant exhibition Hurahia ana kā Whetū, curated in collaboration between Paemanu: Ngāi Tahu Contemporary Arts and Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

Cath Brown’s artwork Karanga Ngāi Tahu II (2002), pictured above, has held a prominent position in the exhibition, welcoming manuhiri into the kaupapa.

FREE 2pm Sunday 13 August
*Apologies: Areta Wilkinson is no longer able to join the talk

Title quote from a speech by Paemanu Poutokomanawa Ross Hemera at the opening of Paemanu: Nohoaka Toi in 2017

Quote from an essay by Cath Brown on the work of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa, Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand, 1993