
Artwork Information
Over the course of his career Paterson has created a unique visual language that combines traditional kōwhaiwhai pattern and design with non-traditional media to present contemporary statements about cultural continuity. His kaleidoscopic and shimmering compositions express his Māori and Scottish whakapapa and articulate a personal response to, and interpretation of, traditional Māori patterns through a psychedelic lens recalling the exuberance of pop art and fabric designs from the mid-twentieth century. Monumental in scale, this artwork’s production was intricate and labour-intensive: each line and section is individually ‘set’ with glitter using a glue substrate
- Artist
- Reuben Paterson
- Iwi/Ethnicity
- Ngāti Rangitihi/MāoriNgāi Tūhoe/MāoriTūhourangi/Māori
- Title
- Whakapapa Get Down Upon Your Knees 4
- Production Date
- 2009
- Medium
- synthetic polymer paint and glitter on canvas
- Dimensions
- 2000 x 8000 mm
- Credit Line
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of the Patrons of the Auckland Art Gallery, 2020
- Accession No
- 2020/21.1-4
- Copyright
- Copying restrictions apply
- Department
- New Zealand Art
- Display Status
- Not on display
More by Reuben Paterson (4)

untitled (Time and Place)
2001

Guide Kaiārahi
2021

Whakapapa Get Down Upon Your Knees 4
2009

The Kaiahuwhenua and his Three Sons
2001