IRIHIPETI
CO-CREATING LIVING ARCHIVES
AT THE INTERSECTION OF CULTURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
DIASPORA HEALTH & TOI MĀORI
KO WAI AU
I am a visual and vocal storyteller, cultural development practitioner and wellbeing practitioner based in Narrm, Melbourne. I curate repositories of Indigenous methodologies and experiences through various collaborations, creative ventures, movement and wellness based practises. Providing tools and spaces of learning for the self determination of the very communities who have fed and raised myself and my daughter. I bring light to dark spaces and conversations through my mediums of contemporary Māori art in multimedia, performance art, photography, film and, soundscapes and passion for taonga pūoro and whakairo.
CURRENT CREATIVE PROJECTS 2024:
Photography Residency | Footscray Arts
Culture Maker | Museums Victoria
Culture Lab | Arts House
Resume Request
He uri au noo Ngaati Rangi. Ko Irihipeti Waretini taku ingoa.
Past Projects
Image of Ipu Ti by Shuttermain Photography featuring Irihipeti Waretini & Fipe Preuss
Resonance
Gathering around shared rhythm, values, and purpose, 6 Narrm-based interdisciplinary and intergenerational artists of the diaspora, weave together their creative and cultural practices for the crafting of story and ceremony. Presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria and Melbourne Museum.
Main image of Irihipeti, inset of Hayes Keepa (L) Kaycee Merito (R) Tim Te Hau (BG) Image credit: Gianna Rizzo
TE PŌ
An ensemble of highly skilled warriors navigate the formidable realms of unintentional greatness. Created and directed by Irihipeti Waretini. Written and Performed by Te Ara Hononga. 5 sold out shows presented by Fringe Melbourne 2023 & Maribyrnong City Arts & Culture.
Main image of Taonga Wiata. Inset of Mahana Neho by Tom Noble.
Film credit Project nRt & Irihipeti Waretini
Carving Gang
A collaboration with Kaiwhakairo Hayes Keepa. Sharing culture and traditional cultural practises in contemporary and creative settings.
Main image of Pou Atakau: Guardian between worlds at Melbourne Museum. Inset Djirri Djirri dancers Welcome to Country. Images credit Gianna Rizzo. Film credit Irihipeti Waretini.
Ipu Tī
Ipu Ti is a weaving of contemporary and classical performance art with traditional Pacific/Maaori storytelling co-created by Fipe Preuss & Irihipeti Waretini. Tikanga, traditions and rituals for Pacific peoples are centred around people, land, our environment and our connection to food. Through ritual, the elements and engagement with our communities, we develop, shape and share our conversations through various modalities including classical and acoustic guitar, song, chant, language, traditional instruments, drumming, ukulele, movement and fire.
image credit of Fipe Preuss by Irihipeti Waretini
Djeembana Whakaora
A co-collaboration between First Nations and Māori, Pasifika Diaspora living on Aboriginal Land. An online exhibition with Geoffrey Kaye Museum that recognises and values traditional modes of care and knowledge transmission of health and healing..
Rangituhia Marae (L) Brent Watkins (R).
Image credits Irihipeti Waretini
Image credit Bryony Jackson.
Film of Bella Waru by Irihipeti Waretini
As We Bloom
As We Bloom - a multimedia installation is a place of reverence in honour and celebration of the growth, expansion and self-realisation the artists witness in their community as they collectively create the space and support systems to ‘become’ and to receive the healing they deserve. Irihipeti Waretini, Bella Waru & Veisinia Tonga for Arts House “Housewarming”