Tiakina e au
Toitū te marae o Tānemahuta, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata. If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.
This quadriptych incorporates different painting techniques and traditional patterns to illustrate the story and hononga between Kauri and Tohorā. Tānemahuta (God of the forest) and Tangaroa (God of the sea) flank their uri in this pūrākau. Said to be brothers, Kauri and Tohorā both originated from the realm of Tānemahuta until one day Tohorā ventured into the realm of Tangaroa. Before departing, Kauri was gifted the skin of his brother as protection forever more.
ARTIST: Ramai Rapihana Ngakuru
SIZE: 890mm x 620mm
MATERIALS: Mixed Medium on canvas, ink
Ramai Rapihana Ngakuru
(Ngai Tūpoto, Te Waiariki, Te Aowera, Ngāti Porou, Te Roroa, Ngāpuhi)
Ramai has always been drawn to painting and drawing. She loves being able to pick up a paint brush and use her hand to move freely, adding and taking away layers until she is satisfied and she’s achieved a result she is happy with.
He uri tenei no Ngāpuhi, Ramai believes it’s important to learn the pūkenga within her own iwi to keep the iwi’s styles, patterns and toi alive.
