Visitors to Te Uru are able to explore the stunning works of two leading New Zealand artists, Ralph Hotere and Michael Parekowhai, brought together in the exhibition Black Rainbow.

This exhibition was developed by Te Papa and features a selection of ‘black paintings’ by the late Ralph Hotere, some of his best known works. They sit alongside Michael Parekowhai’s sculptural work, an intricately carved Steinway grand piano titled He Kōrero Purākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: Story of a New Zealand river.

The Te Papa curator behind the show, Megan Tamati-Quennell, says both artists can be described as ‘Māori Internationals’. In the early 1960s, Hotere became the first Māori artist to be embraced by this country’s art mainstream. Decades later, in 2011, Michael Parekowhai represented New Zealand at the Venice Biennale, where his cherry red grand piano was the central work. He Kōrero returns to West Auckland, where it was originally built and first demonstrated prior to the 2011 Venice Biennale, concluding its tour of New Zealand.

Black Rainbow will be accompanied by a series of musical events curated by local musician and composer, Hermione Johnson, supported by the Chartwell Trust. The public are also invited to play He Kōrero at scheduled times on Sundays for the duration of the exhibition.

Image: Michael Parekowhai, He kōrero pūrākau mo te awanui o te motu: Story of a New Zealand River, 2011 (detail), wood, brass, automotive paint, mother of pearl, pāua shell, upholstery. Purchased 2011, with the assistance of the Friends of Te Papa, Te Papa.