in the public eye - May 24

The Whakaraupo Carving Centre Trust (WCCT) is a non-profit registered charity, and Māori led organisation in the arts sector based in Te Waipounamu, Aotearoa New Zealand. Located in Ōhinehou, Te Pataka o Rākaihāutū, Ōtautahi, the kaupapa of the WCCT is to uphold the mana of kaupapa Māori toi, He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, mana whenua, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti.

Over the past decade the WCCT has supported both Māori and non-Māori prisoners with their release from prison, and with their reintegration back into their communities. This is done by providing a Māori kura kaupapa whose primary aims are uplifting tikanga, kawa, and Mātauranga. This is achieved by supporting the tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake of individual creative practices, skill sets and aspirations.

As part of the WCCT kaupapa, a community collective has emerged, Te Whare o Rei (Rei Gallery). This is a space for creatives to undertake Toi Hua, a kaupapa Māori Toi Principle which focuses on the exhibition of creative mahi to a wider group or community.

‘in the public eye’, by Scott Watson, is an exhibition showcasing some of Scott’s whakairo and rauangi (carving/visual art) practices which he has produced over a twenty six year period of incarceration. Curated by WCCT, ‘In the public eye’ will provide a visual narrative of Scott’s creative journey.

‘in the public eye’ will open to the public at 6pm on Friday the 24th May 2024 and will run up until the 20th June 2024, nau mai haere mai!

Please direct all enquiries to:

inthepubliceye2024@gmail.com