Rima Tekau is a sharing and expression of Whānaungatanga, of Toi Māori and most importantly, Aroha.

Sharing this milestone in her creative life-path, multi-disciplinary artist Melanie Tahata has curated a solo exhibition of whānau archives alongside a selection of older and recent works.

Tākina ko au, tākina ko koe
Te Kura Māhukihuki

Born and raised in Puhi Kaiti, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa (Kaiti, Gisborne), Melanie Tahata is a sculptor, graphic designer, filmmaker, writer, producer, educationalist but most importantly, a mother.

In 1997 she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Elam thereafter moving around the North Island, producing gothic, punk and heavy metal gigs. In 2005 she returned to her hometown to raise her son where she has become committed and proactive in community and iwi projects.

She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for Te Kura Reo Rua o Waikirikiri and has a Master of Professional Creative Practice with Distinction which she received in 2019.

During the past year Mel has been immersing herself in the traditional art of printmaking within the Gisborne Printmaker’s Group.