Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka
"Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka is a Māori artist of Ngā Puhi, Ngati Pakau and Waitaha descent. The focus of Ruka’s arts-based research practice is the development of possible net positive futures from an indigenous perspective. Exploring the inherent need to connect to nature on a deeper level living in an urban environment, Ruka examines this innate relationship to nature as a Māori artist. Inspired by the observational navigational kaupapa of her migratory wayfaring ancestors, she weaves elements of kaitiakitanga, manākitanga, tiikanga and wairuatanga into her work. Traditionally stories were used to pass down knowledge, information was strategically woven into chants, patterned designs or pictograms, using this methodology Ruka narrates a storyline through digital video, photography, natural materials, sound and light installations.
Ruka’s work is held in public and private collections nationally and internationally. Her video installations have shown at various art and film festivals around the world including opening the 5th International Indigenous Film Festival in Kathmandu Nepal. Since 2016 she has presented a number of papers at conferences in Aotearoa, UK and Italy on indigenous arts-based development of plant fibre textile materials and net positive concept designs." - Artist Statement
In 2021 she was Curator for Oceania at the Nature of Cities Festival, a global online festival that sought to “to radically imagine our cities for the future”.
CIRCUIT Resources
Podcast with Martin Awa Clarke Langdon and Moya Lawson (2020)
CIRCUIT Projects
The Sound of Seeing, Wellington (2020)
Matariki Commission, Masons Screen, Wellington (2020)
I want to be where I am, The Engine Room / CIRCUIT, Wellington (2020)
CIRCUIT Symposium: Phantom Topologies, Wellington (2016)
Selected Exhibitions
2021
Opanuku Stream, The Nature of Cities Festival, Online
A Very Different World, Te Tuhi, Auckland
2020
Kōhatu Tipua (Supernatural Stones) Masons Screen, Wellington
The Sound of Seeing, The Pyramid Club, Wellington
2019
Matariki Group Show, Helensville Art Gallery, Auckland
2018
Neighbourhood, Corban Estates Art Centre Project Space, Auckland
Kete Aronui Matariki, Helensville Art Center, Auckland
2017
Te Taiao, Franklin Arts Centre, Auckland
2016
I want to be where I am, CIRCUIT / The Engine Room, Wellington
Matariki Festival, Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku, Auckland
2015
Polynesian Triangle Films, Millennium Film Journal, New York, USA
Since 1984: He aha te ahurea-rua?, St Paul St Gallery, Auckland
2014
Te Hau a Uru, Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, Auckland
Te Toi Hau, Northart Gallery, Auckland
2013
WHIRIWHIRI-A-ROPU, Corbans Estate Art Centre, Auckland
2012
Matariki exhibition, Papakura Art Gallery, Auckland
Assemble Assembly, St Paul St Gallery, Auckland
Art to aid the Cuban 5, Satellite Gallery, Auckland
Waitangi Exhibition, Hokianga Art Gallery
2011
Tawhiri 3, RM Gallery, Auckland
On The Count Of Three!, Enjoy Art Gallery, Wellington
Pelago, The Pah Homestead Wallace Arts Trust, Auckland
Wood for the trees, Lopdell House Gallery
, Auckland
Wairoa Maori Film Festival, Wairoa
