Arohanui

I taua wā i puta mai ngā toi a Kura Te Waru Rewiri, i te kōwhaiwhai. I tēnei momo toi, he muramura te tae, te hoahoa me te hanganga hei miramira i tōna ataata kaha me tana hanga. Kitea ai i roto i te *Arohanui*, 2006 ngā tauira kōwhaiwhai e paparuatia ai e ngā kōwhaiwhai, ka hua ngā hoahoa me ngā pānuitanga hou. Heoi anō kei te whakaatu a Rewiri i ōna mōhiotanga ake mō tēnei momo toi, he kaupapa e tupu mai ai i ōna wheako whaiaro, i ōna maumaharatanga, i ngā whanaungatanga piritata. Ko ngā kaupapa he whanaungatanga whaiaro, me te tangata te mea nui. Ko tā te *Arohanui* he mihi whakamutunga ki tētahi tangata e arohaina ai.

The art of kōwhaiwhai (rafter painting) was the inspiration for Kura Te Waru Rewiri during the period this work was painted. The bold use of colour, design and composition emphasise the strong visual and design structure of this artform. In *Arohanui*, 2006 we see glimpses of traditional kōwhaiwhai patterns overlayed to create new designs and offer new readings. However, Rewiri also brings forward her own understandings about kōwhaiwhai which are informed by personal stories, memories and initimate encounters. These speak to relationships and the importance of people. *Arohanui* can be translated in English as ‘with deep affection’ and the artist offers it as a parting tribute to a loved one. (Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art, 2020)

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