Whakatere Nga Waka / Set sail the vessels

Nau Mai Haere Mai   Tena Koutou Katoa

Art Exhibition                                                                                                                                                                                           Whakatere Nga Waka / Set Sail the Vessels        

                     New Works, Paintings by: Rua Pick.

WHERE                           Toko Mata Gallery

                                          82 Lichfield St (1st Floor)

                                          Between Colombo St. & Manchester St.

                                          Christchurch, New Zealand.

Ph: 021 024 86 133    www.ruapick.vc.net.nz 

PREVIEW                       Thursday 21st October @ 7 pm

DURATION                    October 21st– November 27th  2010

GALLERY HOURS       Monday – Friday 12:00 – 5:00 pm

                                           Saturdays 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Artist comment: Rua Pick

Whakatere Nga Waka / Set sail the vessels                               - 21st Oct - 27th Nov 2010 

 This Exhibition is a journey, a homage to the ancient Waitaha people’s stories of voyaging to and from this land of Waitangi ki Rarotonga / New Zealand.  From ancient beginnings in far away lands under different stars to the inner exploration of Te Waka Aotea Roa o Nga Atua / The Great Waka of the Elemental Caretakers / The South Island. From the stars, to the early Waitaha Pae Arahi / Trailmakers of Land & Sea, & the Nga Tohunga Tarei Waka / Canoe builders, such as Hotu Matua, Kiwa Matua, Maui Potiki, Ngahue, Poutini, Mere Tuahiahi, Te Pahi, Rakaihautu, Te Wari etc.  Also the great Ahorangi (enlightened  teachers ) are honoured  in this painted journey, Te Mawe , Hei Tiki, Muriranga Whenua, Titiraukura o Nga Rangi , Hinerau Wharariki,  Marotini to name a few.  The many waka that cut their pathways through the oceans guided by the stars, tides, whales and birds to these lands, these vessels are paid tribute to here.  From the sacred waka Aotea Roa o Nga Atua, to those of the people from Nukutere Mai Tawhiti to Matatakohe. 

These Taonga are homage to those adventurous men and women who charted these waters and lands under Te Korowai o Rongo Marae Roa (The Cloak of Peace).  Remembered in songs passed down through the generations.  Written in the starry skies and heard by the silent grey stones of Papatuanuku, who never forgets.  Whispered into the Waituhituhi (water records) stored within Te Waitaha (Water Carriers).  Reflected to the world from Te Matapuna (the still pond of reason).

Over sixty mixed media artworks have been created in this Huringa Tumatawera / Two year cycle.  Mediums such as oil paint, 3d paint, texture compounds, fibres, etc are combined on shaped wooden formats, windows that open to timeless worlds….                                            

Piki mai - Draw closer                                                                                           Kake mai -  Climb aboard our waka                                                                                                 Haere mai - Welcome aboard