Chelsea Winstanley Highlights Māori Art in New Documentary

The upcoming documentary “TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty” by director and producer Chelsea Winstanley offers an intimate look at the creation of New Zealand’s largest Māori art exhibition, “Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art,” at the Auckland Art Gallery. This exhibition, featuring over 100 artists and 300 artworks, represents a significant moment in New Zealand’s cultural landscape.

Winstanley, known for her role as a producer on Taika Waititi‘s Oscar-nominated film “Jojo Rabbit,” returned to New Zealand during the pandemic to immerse herself in this ambitious project. “I like to find stories about people that are doing all the good things behind the scenes,” she said. This project provided her the perfect opportunity to reconnect with her passion for writing and directing.

The film showcases the collaborative efforts of Māori artists, including Ngahina Hohaia, who created the mixed-media installation “Paopao Ki tua o Rangi,” and the Mataaho Collective, which won the prestigious Golden Lion Award at the Venice Biennale. Winstanley expressed her admiration for the artists, stating, “Artists are just the most incredible people. They truly are.”

Artistic Vision and Challenges

The journey to produce this documentary was not without its challenges. Tensions arose between Nigel Borell, the gallery’s Māori Art curator, and the gallery’s director, highlighting issues of power dynamics within the curatorial process. Borell’s commitment to centering Māori voices led him to resign shortly before the exhibition opened, a decision that Winstanley captured in her film. He emphasized, “If we can’t shape it with this exhibition project which we have waited 20 years to do, when can we?”

Despite these difficulties, Winstanley maintained her focus on the positive aspects of collaboration. She aimed to illustrate the dedication of everyone involved in the exhibition, stating, “Everyone in the gallery, Māori, Pākehā, it doesn’t matter who they were, everyone was so invested in the success of that show.”

Winstanley chose to self-fund the documentary to avoid external restrictions, a decision that allowed her greater creative freedom. “What little resource I had, me and my producer, we were just like, right, we’re going to do this. We’ll scrimp and scrape,” she explained. This hands-on approach resulted in a raw and authentic portrayal of the artistic process.

A Celebration of Māori Art

The documentary not only follows the artists as they create their work but also delves into the broader significance of the exhibition itself. It serves as a vital archive of Māori art history, celebrating the contributions of indigenous artists and their narratives. Winstanley remarked on how the exhibition would be historically significant, comparable to the landmark “Te Māori” exhibition of the 1980s.

Winstanley’s experiences filming the installation processes provided her with profound insights into the artistic world. Capturing moments such as Reuben Paterson witnessing his glass waka for the first time was particularly impactful. “It was great to capture him there. I would have been freaking out if that was my piece,” she said, reflecting on the emotional connection artists have with their work.

The documentary also highlights the crucial roles played by gallery staff, who work tirelessly to ensure exhibitions come to life. Winstanley gained a newfound appreciation for the meticulous care taken by the gallery’s registration team in preserving and presenting artworks.

Despite the exhibition concluding in 2021 and not traveling internationally as hoped, Winstanley dedicated herself to completing the documentary. She spent two years reviewing hundreds of hours of footage to craft a narrative that honors the artists and the exhibition’s legacy.

Winstanley’s documentary “TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty” will screen at the Rialto Cinema in Dunedin on August 24, 2023, followed by a Q&A session with the director. As the film approaches its release, it promises to be a compelling exploration of contemporary Māori art and a celebration of the stories behind the scenes.