Tini Whetū Project

By Jamiema Lorimer

Tini Whetū Project Space is an experimental art gallery and space, curated by Piupiu Maya Turei (Wairarapa Moana, Te Ātihaunui-aPāpārangi). Tini Whetū is situated in the upper level of Yours on Moray Place, in both the corridor leading to Evening Bookstore and the bookstore itself.

Piupiu has been doing art curatorial work in Ōtepoti since 2019 and has curated shows at the Polytech, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, and for Dunedin Dream Brokerage. Tini Whetū is Piupiu’s first permanent gallery space of her own. The space came to be early this year, after Evening Books put out a call-out in hosting an art gallery to complement the space.

Having come from an academic art background and working in curating for a number of years, Piupiu is aware of the many barriers in the art world of Aotearoa, particularly for Māori. Her curatorial practice is about removing these barriers for the artists and public alike. “I’m really interested in not being exclusionary,” said Piupiu. “It’s not about a gallery which shuts people out because the content is gate-kept. Artworks are open and accessible for anyone to understand, however they want.”