A call for artist sponsorship has been put out by the Ngākau Symposium committee in the lead up to the 2025 Ngākau Carving Symposium from April 12 to April 26.
The Ngākau Symposium is a space where professional and emerging artists come together with a shared interest and passion for whakairo (carving), working with kōhatu (stone) and rākau (wood), and will be held at and hosted by Te Kura o Te Kauaeranga Thames South School.
The first Symposium in 2023 rallied 14 artists, followed by 18 artists in 2024.
For its third instalment in April this year, financial support is needed to host 22 artists set to descend upon Hauraki.
People are invited to sponsor a Ngākau Carving Symposium artist for $1500 and in exchange the sponsor will receive one carved sculpture made by the artist.
Organiser Andre Barlow told The Profile many of the sculptures from previous Symposiums stayed in Hauraki, with some of the sculptures, which were sponsored by businesses, on display for the community to see.
The aim of the Symposium was to reclaim traditions of the past and “bring it back” and “have that on our grounds for our young people to pick up and start doing”, she said.
Previously artists would create the sponsored pieces during the two-week symposium, but it meant those who viewed the work during the event couldn’t purchase any of it because they were already spoken for, Andre said. “So, we’ve changed that. All the sponsored pieces are done before they get to the school. They come with them [artists] to the symposium.”
Any works created by the artists during the symposium would either be commissioned pieces, or would go into the auction on the final day, she said.
The event will also include workshops across the two weeks, led by different artists from across the motu, and some will include events for tamariki to enjoy.
“[The artists] put everything into their pieces. All these artists, they give 110 per cent.”
DETAILS: To sponsor an artist, commission a sculpture or sponsor any of the workshops or kai for the artists, contact Andre Barlow on Ph: 021 217 6876, or email ngakaucommittee@gmail.com.
