what is mahi TOI?
I’ve heard many people say “I’m not an artist, I cant even draw a stick figure”. The underlying belief here is that art is about rendering a realistic figure or copying something. How did this happen??!!! (drawing nudes from the male gaze)
Firstly, Im here to tell you that ZERO artists I know draw stick figures. Art is about creative thinking, creative problem solving, transformative interventions. It is the very opposite of stick figures.
Secondly, art is not the same as mahi Toi.
mahi TOI is the visual manifestation of Mātauranga Māori
TOI tū te mauri TOI tū te mana TOI tū te whenua TOI tū te tangata
TOI is endurance
WHAT IS MĀTAURANGA MĀORI ENDURING?
extinction. genocide. what else is enduring extinction and genocide?
Life as we know it. PAPATŪĀNUKU.
Mahi Toi uplifts the very thing that gives us life - its not a personal emotional catharsis or reaction, though it often starts there for me. Mahi Toi carries a responsibility. Are we contributing to consumerism and extraction of resources? Are we using materials that harm the earth just because they look good? Are we aware of the carbon footprint of the block chain? Are we selling stuff to buy more stuff? Are we projecting a narrative of stuck rage or victimhood? If we practice mahi Toi, we have a collective responsibility. The end.
