Graham Tipene | Te Mata o Mangahekea

Te Mata o Mangahekea is a commissioned work by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu). 

Graham Tipene’s kaupapa (principles) as a public installation artist centres on enhancing Māori visibility within the urban environment. Te Mata o Mangahekea, 2024 is the second work that he has produced as part of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s heritage project. Like his first commission, Te Toi o Mangahekea, 2023, this work speaks to the interconnectedness of the environment and our duty of manaakitanga, or care.

Traditional carving patterns swirl in red, black and white, colours which symbolise the coming together of Te Whai Ao (the realm of coming into being), Te Korekore (the realm of potential) and Te Ao Mārama (the realm of being). The central face acts as a kaitiaki or guardian, welcoming and caring for all under its span.  

Ko ngā kaupapa a Graham hei ringatoi, he kaupapa e hāngai ana ki te whakahaumakotanga o te kitenga o te ao Māori ki te taiao hou. Ko Te Mata o Mangahekea, 2024 te kaupapa tuarua kua mahia e ia e whai wāhi atu ana ki te kaupapa whakahou a Toi o Tāmaki. Pēnei i tāna kaupapa tuatahi, Te Toi o Mangahekea, 2023, he kaupapa tēnei e kōrero ana ki te tūhonotanga o te taiao me tā mātou takohanga
manaakitanga.

Ko te kōripotanga o ngā hikuaua ki ngā tae whero, pango me te mā e tohu ana i te tuinga o te Te Whai Ao, Te Korekore me Te Ao Mārama. Ka tū ko te mata o te pokapū hei kaitiaki e pōwhiri ana, e manaaki hoki ana i te katoa e noho nei i raro i tōna āhurutanga.