Visual Māori artist, tā moko artist, painter, carver, kapa haka performer, orator, composer, graphic designer, researcher of whakapapa and oral histories, kaikōrero and educationalist.

The focus of Derek’s work is first and foremost in his connection to home, to Tairāwhiti, the marae and in his role as Ahorangi Professor and mentor at Toihoukura, Māori Visual Arts & Design, in Gisborne.

Professor Derek Lardelli is regarded as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s finest exponents of the arts and has been prominent in explaining and promoting Māori arts to audiences in New Zealand, the Pacific and around the world. Derek continues to promote language revitalisation within an arts context, portraying a future pathway for our youth.

Tū Takawhiti (keep moving), a retrospective exhibition, represents 40 years of creative change and moving forward by looking back!

Tāwera Tāhuri
Exhibition Curator