“You’re magic people to me. Hold your head up high, let your voices fly. I’m proud to be Māori, Proud to be Māori, Proud to be Māori” (composed by Dave Para)
Resonating through the corridors of Te Whare Paremata, and echoing across the motu since, those were the captivating words sung by Rawiri Waititi during his symbolic maiden speech as co-leader of Te Paati Māori in 2020.
In the midst of the transformative mid-late 19th century, hapū embarked on a journey to redefine their identity driven by the dynamic interplay of political and religious movements. This pivotal era served as a catalyst, sparking a rapid evolution in the artistic expression within the whare whakairo where the rendering of naturalistic paintings became a powerful means to convey the ideologies and spiritual values of the hapū. A notable example relative to the artist was Tākitimu meeting house of Ngāti Hikawera hapū in Wairarapa. Opened by Te Kooti in 1891, Tākitimu’s existence was tragically cut short when it burnt down just two decades after its construction.
At the turn of the 21st century, Prof. Robert Jahnke (Ngāi Taharora) worked with Saffron Te Ratana (Ngāi Tūhoe) and Shane Cotton (Ngāpuhi) to adorn the double doors within the mahau of Taharora meeting house, originally built by Riwai Pakerau of Ngāi Taharora, Waipiro Bay[1]. A student of Jahnke’s at the time (Toioho ki Āpiti), Te Ratana was tasked with investigating the naturalistic painting style of Riwai Pakerau. Te Ratana drew connections to Pakerau’s artistic legacy through her exquisite depiction of naturalistic trees with branches resembling arms and hands holding paintbrushes. A Toioho ki Āpiti wānanga at Taharora in 2006 and various experiences since has given impetus to Te Whaiti’s exploration and contribution to the ongoing whakapapa of Māori naturalistic painting.
Drawing inspiration from the painted doors of Taharora, Because you’re magic emerges as a series of paintings portraying symbols of rangatiratanga, critical to our individual and collective existence both then and now. Through this series, the spirit of our unique culture are brought to life, bridging the past and present in a celebration of who we are… proud to be Māori!
Present in a celebration of who we are… proud to be Māori.
Materials: Acrylic, canvas
Dimensions: 610 X 910 mm
Brand
Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti
Aronga Toi: Kaituhi Iwi:Ngāi Tahu (Ngāti Kurī, Ngāi Tūahuriri, Ngāti Waewae), Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa (Ngāti Hinewaka)Akonga:Rongomaiaia is a visual artist currently based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, yet hails from Wairarapa, as a descendant of Ngāti Kurī, Ngāi Tūahuriri, Ngāti Waewae, Ngāti Hinewaka. Rongomaiaia completed a Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts (First Class Honours in Painting) and a Master's in Māori Visual Arts through Massey University. Alongside conducting research and lectures, Rongomaiaia has gone on to pursue leadership roles advocating for ngā Toi Māori in various spaces, namely as a Deputy Kaihautu Toi Māori, Te Ātinga committee member, and a past trustee of Paemanu: Ngāi Tahu Contemporary Visual Arts Collective. Rongomaiaia exhibits nationally, her work has been acquired for private and public collections.Kaupapa:Rongomaiaia is grounded in her sense of belonging to the whenua, her practice reflects indigenous oral narratives and histories throughout paintings, installations, and sculptural pieces. ‘Ko Aotearoa Tēnei' is a response to the Wai 262 claim, delving into the tension around intellectual property rights concerning Taonga Māori. Rongomaiaia illustrates a tree of mātauranga, composed of different rongoā plants significant to Te Ao Māori that have since become vulnerable without the protection of Wai 262.Rongomaiaia was determined to experiment with colours outside her standard palette, drawing inspiration from John Bevan Ford. Her vibrant use of eclectic pigments flourishes through the branches, leaves, and korowai. A strong sense of symbolism is felt, dense with layered meaning, heavily influenced by contemporary Māori artists- Shane Cotton and Saffronn Te Ratana. Rongomaia’s attention to detail extends further into the composition of this piece, based on the door panels of Taharora Marae. An entire discussion takes place on canvas, reading between the lines of the details. Rongomaiaia uses strong symbolism and colour to acknowledge the wider conversation at hand.
Ko Aotearoa Tēnei
$2,750.00
1 in stock
Description
Title: Ko Aotearoa Tēnei
Artist: Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti
Iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Kāi Tahu
Description: Painting
“You’re magic people to me. Hold your head up high, let your voices fly. I’m proud to be Māori, Proud to be Māori, Proud to be Māori” (composed by Dave Para)
Resonating through the corridors of Te Whare Paremata, and echoing across the motu since, those were the captivating words sung by Rawiri Waititi during his symbolic maiden speech as co-leader of Te Paati Māori in 2020.
In the midst of the transformative mid-late 19th century, hapū embarked on a journey to redefine their identity driven by the dynamic interplay of political and religious movements. This pivotal era served as a catalyst, sparking a rapid evolution in the artistic expression within the whare whakairo where the rendering of naturalistic paintings became a powerful means to convey the ideologies and spiritual values of the hapū. A notable example relative to the artist was Tākitimu meeting house of Ngāti Hikawera hapū in Wairarapa. Opened by Te Kooti in 1891, Tākitimu’s existence was tragically cut short when it burnt down just two decades after its construction.
At the turn of the 21st century, Prof. Robert Jahnke (Ngāi Taharora) worked with Saffron Te Ratana (Ngāi Tūhoe) and Shane Cotton (Ngāpuhi) to adorn the double doors within the mahau of Taharora meeting house, originally built by Riwai Pakerau of Ngāi Taharora, Waipiro Bay[1]. A student of Jahnke’s at the time (Toioho ki Āpiti), Te Ratana was tasked with investigating the naturalistic painting style of Riwai Pakerau. Te Ratana drew connections to Pakerau’s artistic legacy through her exquisite depiction of naturalistic trees with branches resembling arms and hands holding paintbrushes. A Toioho ki Āpiti wānanga at Taharora in 2006 and various experiences since has given impetus to Te Whaiti’s exploration and contribution to the ongoing whakapapa of Māori naturalistic painting.
Drawing inspiration from the painted doors of Taharora, Because you’re magic emerges as a series of paintings portraying symbols of rangatiratanga, critical to our individual and collective existence both then and now. Through this series, the spirit of our unique culture are brought to life, bridging the past and present in a celebration of who we are… proud to be Māori!
Present in a celebration of who we are… proud to be Māori.
Materials: Acrylic, canvas
Dimensions: 610 X 910 mm
Brand
Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti
Related products
MFF Classic Tee
Te Atua a Hinepūtehue
Tāwhirimātea
Te Kāhui o Matariki