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DEREK LARDELLI
Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Kanohi (Ngai Te Riwai), Ngāti Kaipoho (Ngai Te Aweawe)
2004 Laureate
tā moko/Kapa Haka
Derek Lardelli is regarded as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's finest tā moko artists and has been prominent in explaining the revival of the art and its spiritual significance to audiences throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.
Each moko created is carefully researched to reflect the whakapapa, history and particular interests of the person receiving it. Although he uses modern electrical equipment, his work reflects deep respect for the traditions of his ancestors. "The designs are based on traditional patterns, with leeway for artistic expression. Our ancestors had a high regard for creativity, and the right of the individual to create something new on behalf of the tribe."
Derek's work as a tā moko artist is only one of many roles he fulfils as a visual artist. He is also a carver, Kapa Haka performer, composer, graphic designer, and researcher of whakapapa, tribal history and kaikorero. Derek also tutors Kapa Haka for the Whangara Mai Tawhiti Cultural Group.
Born in 1961, and with an educational background in teaching, fine arts and classical Māori literature, Derek is currently principal tutor at Toihoukura (Māori Arts Department), Tairawhiti Polytechnic, Gisborne.
He has facilitated and participated in numerous exhibitions and workshops both in New Zealand and overseas. Most recently, he was Director of the Tā Moko Delegation to the South Pacific Arts Festival, Palau (2004), led a working exhibition of tā moko at Te Papa as part of the NZ Festival of the Arts (2004), exhibited his work in the NZ High Commission Exhibition in Singapore (2002) and in Kura Gallery.
In 2006 Derek took up a Masters programme at Canterbury University's Ilam School of Fine Arts, on a thesis entitled Tamoko - Traditional Pathways Contemporary Connections. This culminated in a solo show at the Sofa Gallery in the Christchurch Arts Centre in March 2007, consisting of a one day tā moko demonstration.
In the same year, Derek designed the fern motif for the uniform for New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team; created background images to feature behind the original Air New Zealand koru logo and was named the first recipient of a new artist-in-residence programme based near the Gallipoli peninsula. Derek can also be credited with the new All Black haka, and the logo for the 2006 Commonwealth Games uniform.
In 2007, Derek coached and led East Coast kapa haka group Whangara-mai-Tawhiti to become supreme winner at the national kapa haka championships.
Derek is chairperson of Te Uhi, a Tā Moko Arts Collective and is also a trustee of Toi Māori Aotearoa. He lives in Gisborne with his wife and children.
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