Tuesday, November 19, 2013

'The Great Separation', Kinetic Mobile



Project: Tatau-pounamu 

In a traditional sense Tatau-pounamu is a peace agreement between two parties, yet if we look closer into the dynamics of this agreement we see that Tatau-pounamu is an event that brings forth a permanent state of change from unstability to stability, Tatau (doorway) implies event whilst Pounamu (New Zealand Jade) implies a sense of permanence.

For this project I decided to focus on the biggest example of Tatau-pounamu I could find, the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku (heaven and earth) for this reason I decided to depict the main atua who were involved connected presented in a mobile form to evoke balance, freedom and movement. 

The mobile portrays the exact moment separation occurred, hence we have Tumatauenga and Tumatakaka holding the sacred toki used to severe their parents arms from their embrace. We have Ue-poto pointing to the way out and Tane in his classic propped up position along with Tu-pai.

I organised the atua paddles in a specific order according to our chakra locations, this is because I view the Atua Maori as Dual personifications of our chakras (inner world) and our worlds natural phenomena (outer world).


I relate this knowledge to Tatau-pounamu because once separation occurred then Tane obtained the 3 baskets of knowledge of which all the atua were assigned to their duties.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Final design of my carving shed project..


My final design of my carving shed project.. The project is due by November 17th 2013, not long to go!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Double Helix 21st Key Carving


Here is a 21st Key I've made, the double Helix form (like DNA) represents life and continuity. It is replicated three times to represent the Human, Planetary and Stella scales. The wood is of local Mountain Totara. The carving is approximately 60cm tall and has a peered finish all round.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Tangaroa, acrylic on plywood painting


Tangaroa

This is an acrylic-on-plywood painting. I am currently creating a whole range of Atua Māori in a simple, fun expression for a local kindergarten, incorporating strong, rich mnemonics and symbolism that children can learn from.

This particular piece depicts Tangaroa in a serpentine form, with the drip shape between his tail reminding us of water. He is embellished in fish scales that offer him protection.

The blue colour represents the sea, as well as communication, creativity, and the arts. Tangaroa is pictured holding his own ancient symbol in the form of a tiki-wānanga, while the double spiral represents the continuous evolution of the physical and spiritual realms.
This is part of an ongoing volunteer project I have planned with Parone Street Kindy in Taumarunui.

Medium: Acrylic on plywood

Dimensions: 1.2m tall

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Rongo-mārae-roa Tekoteko Trophy



















I carved this tekoteko for the Dinner at the Domain 2012 event placed in Taumarunui. It was a trophy for the Marae cook-off competition.

I choose to depict Rongo-mārae-roa because he is atua of peaceful pursuits and cultivated food, (mainly the kūmara).
I choose the pattern 'taratara a kai' because this surface design was traditionally used on Pātaka (storage houses). In this context, it represents plentiful kai (food).

Monday, October 15, 2012

Maui Spiral kowhaiwhai panel


My Daughter presenting my Maui Spiral kowhaiwhai panel which was based on a design out of Hamilton's 1896 book on Maori Art. This painting was a gift for my Kaiako.

To me this piece represents the continual passing on of knowledge. 
 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Wheku mask, 2014


Practising making a wheku mask. I've always wanted to carve around the mouth and brow in full pākati haehae, especially to do the spirals on the cheek joints.

Medium: Native Mataī wood, pāua shell inlays, and oil finish

 


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Waka Huia, 2012



Waka Huia

Medium: Carved from native Mataī wood, with Whanganui river stones to hold the lid on

Dimensions: 430mm x 150mm x 140mm

Friday, December 30, 2011

Monday, December 19, 2011

Marakihau Poupou, 2011

'Marakihau'

Medium: Carved on NZ  Mountain Tōtara 

Dimensions: 2.4m x 0.6m apx

Pūtorino Flute, 2011

Pūtorino Flute

Medium: Carved from NZ Tōtara, binding, pāua inlays and oil finish.

Dimensions: 350mm x 60mm

Hei Tiki, 2011


Hei Tiki, 2011. I carved this piece for my wonderful Grandmother and sent it to England.
  
Medium: Cow Bone, pāua shell inlays and cord

  Dimension: 100mm x 35mm apx

Tauira Poupou, 2011


Tauira Poupou, 2011

Dimension: Carved in native Tōtara 

Dimensions: 800mm x 400mm

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Tama-Nui-Te-Ra (The Sun God) Carving


Tama-nui-te-rā carving, 2011 

Medium: Custom wood and acrylic paint

Dimensions: 550mm x 30mm apx



Tekoteko Triptisch Painting, 2011


Tekoteko Triptisch, 2011

Medium: Three wooden treated pine panels with hinges so it can fully fold up, zig-zag formation

Dimensions: 1.2m x 0.9m

Tiki with Takarangi painting, 2011


Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 450mm x 700mm 

Old Pou painting, 2011


Old Pou painting

Medium: Acrylic on board with frame 

Dimensions: 1.2m x 0.7m