Lehonu

oil & 3d paint on wood,2008

Huriawa

Huriawa This taonga honours the Taniwha Huriawa who guards the Taurapa (finely Carved Stern) & ranges through the northern lands to clear the storm tides from the hull of the great waka of the gods Te Waka Aotea Roa o Nga Atua. Within the Taurapa, Huriawa hovers above blessing the launching of the two great waka Uruao & Araiteuru at Tahunanui beach. Rākaihautū raises his hoe (paddle) Te Hamo high in karakia & Te Māwe supports him. Rauone his wife blows a pūtatara to a new dawn. Te Waka Aotea Roa o Nga Atua / The Waka of the Gods series, 2009. Oil, 3D paint, feathers, fibre, canvas & wood. 110 x 23

Tu Te Raki Hau Noa

Tu Te Raki Hau Noa This taonga pays homage to the Taniwha Tu Te Raki Hau Noa, who follows the fast snow fed rivers of the east and soars on high on in the warm north west wind. Within the Rawhiri (Sail) of the Waka of the Gods, Tu Te Raki Hau Noa accepts Rakaihautu’s three gifts of pounamu at Orakaia (Rakaia Gorge). Peace is made between Waitaha and the Old Taniwha of the north west wind. Te Waka Aotea Roa o Nga Atua / The Waka of the Gods series, 2009. Oil, 3D paint, Hessian, wood. 138 x 72

Tu Tekapo

Tu Tekapo This taonga honours the Taniwha Tu Tekapo (The Blind One), who cares for the south lands in the prow and drains the long fiords and deep lakes. Within Te Tauihu (Prow), of the Waka of the Gods, Tu Tekapo farewells Te Wari who gazes at his last sunset at Orepuki Beach. After many seasons of travelling through the deep southern lands of Tu Tekapo. Te Waka Aotea Roa o Nga Atua / The Waka of the Gods series, 2009. Oil, 3D paint, canvas, wood. 97 x 29

Te Karanga o Hikurangi / The call of Hikurangi

Te Karanga o Hikurangi / The call of Hikurangi. Below the upturned waka of Maui, a great Pae Arahi o Tangaroa (Keeper of the sea trails) calls to her two pet whales, raising her hoe (paddle) up high at sunrise. The whales playfully breach from the waters replying to her karanga with their waiata roa (long songs). As Hinemoana (Grandmother of the inner seas) smiles at them from the depths, a standing rainbow rises upward from Maunga Hikurangi. E tu, e tu , e tuu. Oil, 3D paint, texture compound, canvas, wood. 2010. 190 x 79 cms

Te Riu o Wharaunui / The valley of many canoe houses.

Te Riu o Wharaunui / The valley of many canoe houses. By the great river of a thousand Wharau (Canoe houses) nga Tohunga Tarei Waka (Canoe builders) carve the vessels of many journeys yet to come, that will cross Tangaroa’s great oceans to lands near and far, carrying the dreams of the Ancestors into being. The rhythm of the pounamu toki (jade adzes) echoes throughout the valley honouring an ancient shipwright from many moons ago. Oil, 3D paint, fibre, texture compound, canvas, wood. 2010. 118 x 27 cm

Tihei Mauri Ora Tihei Mauri Mate / I inhale the life force I exhale death.

Tihei Mauri Ora Tihei Mauri Mate / I inhale the life force I exhale death. Arrival place of the souls,departing place of the souls. Realms of Tane Matua & of Hine Nui Te Po, The circle of the dream. Oil & 3d paint on wood, 2009 107 x 169cm

Amu o Toko Rangi Amu o Toko Rangi Amu o Toko Rangi

Amu o Toko Rangi With the rising sun the wisdom keeper is awakened between the great sacred pillars of Mu. The sound of Te Ao Marama (Universe) sings from the smooth stone columns resonating across the waters like the wingbeats of Te Kapokapowai (Dragonfly). In this moment all is clear and present in the ancient land of Kui. Oil & 3d paint ,impasto compound on canvases. 2009 122 x 120 x 4cm