(b. 1961)
Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Konohi, Ngai te Aweawe
Lives in Gisborne
Tā (Sir) Derek Lardelli is a widely acclaimed and awarded artist, scholar, orator and educationalist.
Instrumental in the practice and resurgence of tā moko, Derek helped establish Te Uhi a Mataora, the national tā moko committee of Toi Māori Aotearoa in 2000, and works tirelessly to protect and promote this sacred art form extending to the repatriation and ongoing care of all taonga moko.
As Professor at kura, the tertiary Māori Visual Arts and Design Department at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Gisborne, Derek has immersed generations of Māori artists in a holistic philosophy of Māori art where wānanga based learning, te reo and cultural practice are nurtured.
Derek has been at the forefront of major creative projects representing Māori on national and international stages, most famously as the composer of the All Blacks haka, Kapa o Pango. He has headed numerous delegations and cultural exchanges worldwide and his art works can be found in embassies, art galleries, public spaces and private collections.
His contribution to Māori art and cultural development has been recognised with top honours, awarded an Arts Foundation Laureate (2004), Te Waka Tohu Ake Award (2014), Te Tohu Tiketike o Matariki and Waiata Māori ‘Keeper of the Traditions’ ‘Icon’ Award (2018) and knighted for services to Māori art in 2021.
Derek will be practising tā moko at the 2022 Aotearoa Art Fair, The Cloud, Tāmaki Makaurau, on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November, 10 am – 5 pm.
For enquiries contact: info@lardelliarts.com
Tā Derek Lardelli featured Work
