Rua i te Wānanga

He kaupapa nui o te hoahoa Māori, ko te rārangi e whakaatu ai i te whakapapa. Kitea ai i roto i ngā rārangi whao o tā moko, i roto i ngā muka kua whenuhia hei tukutuku, i roto i ngā kōwhaiwhai o ngā heke i te wharenui.

Ko tā te *Rua i te Wānanga*, 2019 he whakamārama i te mātauranga me te akoranga kei roto i ngā akoranga ahurea o ō tātou tūpuna. Mōhiotia ai tēnei momo hopu mātauranga hei rua – te pupūtanga, te hanganga, o tētahi whakaaro. Te āhua nei he pūngarungaru te pānga o taua māramatanga e kitea ai te hua o tēnā mahi, o tēnā mahi. Ko te tupuna o te ringa toi, a Paikea, me ngā karu o tōna tohorā, te ranga wairua o te ringa toi, ka mutu ko ngā rārangi e rere ana ki waenga i ngā mata peita porohita, he tauritenga mō te tohutohu me te rangatiratanga.

Line is an essential element in Māori design that tells of whakapapa or lineage. It is seen in the intricate chiselled marks of tā moko (tattoo), the twined muka fibre of tukutuku wall panels, and kōwhaiwhai painting across the rafters of wharenui (meeting houses).

*Rua i te Wānanga*, 2019 explores the importance of knowledge and learning found in the cultural teachings of our ancestors. This type of knowledge acquisition can be understood as a rua – the swelling or forming of an idea. Such enlightenment is said to have a ripple effect where every action creates a consequence. Inspired by the artist’s ancestor Paikea and his whale’s eyes, the lines flowing between two circle canvases act as a metaphor for guidance and leadership.

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