Tumu

Iwi: Tahiti Nui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Aronga Toi: Whakaahua Kaupapa: Born in Tahiti and raised in Aotearoa, Te Māreikura Whakataka-Brightwell is steeped in the traditions of the Pacific, hailing from Tahiti Nui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Te Māreikura is a passionate advocate for indigenous advancement and holds a degree in Māori Culture, Language, and Political Science. These strengths translate into his art practice through film and photography. Te Māreikura brings Indigenous portraiture to the forefront through the personification of past, present, and future. ‘Tumu’ and ‘Te Haeata’ are a part of his portrait collection ‘Kanohi Ora’ where we are taken on a photographic journey, placing Tahiti at the center of reconnection to self. Tangata of the ‘Kanohi Ora’ collection stand as a physical embodiment of whakapapa within the vastness of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. Adorned with taonga and grounded in varying landscapes, Te Māreikura seeks to further widen our concept of connection to people, place, and taonga. Tumu Te Māreikura explains how important it is to “…include Tahiti in that narrative because that is our island homeland we call Hawaiki Nui, the land where our waka came from and founded te iwi Māori.” ‘Tumu’ is a great example of how Te Māreikura exercises this inclusion. ‘Tumu’ means both ‘tree trunk’ and ‘purpose’ signifying grounding and connection to our origins in understanding where we come from and therefore who we are as a people. Te Haeata In his portrait ‘Te Haeata’ we are shown a kōhine cascaded in muka, crowned by harakeke, standing on the shores of a seemingly infinite horizon. There is a self-assurance that projects outwards, reinforcing her identity through these nuanced aspects specific to Aotearoa. These striking portraits are an embodiment of Tangata Moana who focus directly towards the viewer, a humming pride distilled within the calmness of their eyes. Te Māreikura emphasises, “By looking back to move forward, we create a better world, honouring our past while embracing the potential of our future.”