Whānau Drop-in | Bling Bling Toi Marama

Bling Bling Toi Marama by Ākau celebrates the rising of Puanga and Matariki – marking the Māori New Year with a community light festival running over four nights (7 – 11 July) on the main street of Kaikohe. Ākau is a Northland-based design studio and foundation that engages taitamariki (youth) in the design of tangible art projects. The Gallery is excited to be contributing mahi toi (artworks) to this collaborative installation.

Glow in the dark bugs will be created during our Whānau Drop-ins to populate a Toi o Tāmaki rakau (tree) that will sit within the design theme of Te Waonui a Tāne (all things exist within and under the crown canopy of Tāne Mahuta, Atua of the Forest) of the 2021 Bling Bling Toi Marama.

Come along and design your own glow in the dark creatures; one for the collective and one for yourself. Play with black lights and photoluminescent pigments, and work as a family to create a collection of glowing critters and beasts.