Installation view. Photo: John Lake
Installation view. Photo: John Lake
Installation view. Photo: John Lake
Joanna Langford, Beneath Brancepeth’s Trees, 2015. Courtesy of the artist and Jonathan Smart Gallery. Photo: John Lake
Erena Baker, Iri Pakitara series, 2009. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: John Lake
Tui Emma Gillies, Daughter of a Lost Dynasty, 2012. Courtesy of the artist.
Inspired by Nuku Tewhatewha, this exhibition explores the concept of mana.
Capable of so much more than cultural pride, mana is a ‘creative and dynamic force that motivates the individual to do better’[1]. When combined with a word such as wāhine (women), mana extends the capacity for women’s potential, communicating our integrity, influence, authority, prestige, power and our ability to be a first rate version of ourselves.
The kūwaha (entrance) of Nuku Tewhatewha features a carved woman breastfeeding and acts as a portal into the exhibition by providing the overarching framework; mana wāhine. The show features works by Maureen Lander, Octavia Cook, Tui Emma Gillies, Denise Batchelor, Erena Baker, Pauline Bern and Candice Stock, as well as new work by Joanna Langford.
Nuku: Symbols of Mana is curated by the 2014 Blumhardt Intern, Bridget Reweti and takes place in the Blumhardt Gallery.
[1] Ware, Felicity, 2006. Māui Styles: Youth Development. MA Thesis in Māori Studies, Massey University Palmerston North.