#nikauhindin

[kapatotapa]

Working with Kokowai

According to Maori Marsden, the Māori world of symbology is a mode of interpretation that helps us to understand and make sense of the physical world as well as its various esoteric layers that make up the holistic Māori world view. “The Ancient Māori seers like the later modern physicist created sets of symbols to provide them with their maps/models to portray each state in [the] evolutionary process. These representations were the means by which they could apprehend/grasp/reconcile the various worlds; and grasp what they perceived as ultimate reality.” His explanation is a useful way of explaining why using certain materials convey layered meaning beyond their physical attributes. Kokowai, red earth, contains an inherent meaning beyond its physical function as red pigment. In my work kokowai acts as a symbol that encapsulates our creation narrative. This earth and its red colour alludes to the vulva of Papatuanuku, where her sexual procreative power lies. It represents not only our earth mother but our creative bodily fluid. “Symbols are the deliberate creation of the human mind. They are an indirect reference to some other reality, a representation of it. They are the means by which the mind creates maps/models/formulae as a means of representing/grasping/interpreting/reconciling/integrating the different orders of reality” (30).

The deliberate use of this raw material therefore contains many layers. Working with kokowai I have found there a multitudes of ways this material be documented, captured or used in away that allows its essence to be conveyed.

[kapatotapa]

Te Kiri o Tane Exhibition

The opening was a success! It was a pleasure to host people and let them play with the tapa on a mat I set up in the main room. We took beaters from the “process table” it only seemed appropriate and beat. Austin Kino also gave a star talk about Hokulea which I think helped contextualise the sail paintings. It was a real pleasure to hear him speak about his first hand experiences sailing deep sea and trusting in not just the stars but your own calculations in order to find land.

I was proud the show offered a diverse range of “openings” for people to access the work depending on how the engage best. From my process table installation, to the looping photographs showing in the smaller room to a huge projection of a video I had made to my tapa pieces, my students tapa pieces and the sail paintings.