TITLE: Te Tiriti
MATERIAL: Velvet texture Matte, 100% cotton
SIZE: A3 Print, 310gsm

Theresa Reihana
Ngāpuhi

Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Ko Te Rapunga te whare tupuna
Ko Kawiti te rangatira,
Ko Theresa Reihana tōku ingoa.

I am an artist who uses art to share a message. My appreciation of my culture, my whānau and my surroundings are the inspiration for my art.

I don’t lack for inspiration; it’s finding enough time to paint.
I draw my strength from my taha Māori and as I learn more about where I come from and my tūpuna ancestors I feel more compelled to live my life as they would have me. I also have Danish, English and Scottish heritage and am also proud of this lineage.

My belief is that upon this earth we are all one. We should protect, feed and nurture the land for only the land will feed our grandchildren.
 
I also believe that my skill as an artist is a gift, and as such my choices are important as to the path I take in life and the content of my work.

The laws introduced by the crown after the signing were undoubtably aimed at securing Māori land and erasing the culture. Historically the crown has followed the same pattern with indegionous peoples all over the world. Sadly the wisdom and culture of these peoples and their connection to nature could have made the world a much healthier place if rather that burying them they embraced them.
This work depicts my perspective from a person of both Māori and European descent. The landscape is Ruapekapeka Pā with the trenches, United tribes of Aotearoa flag and the union jack.
I choose to be myself, my Maori values and connection to the land is strong but my European side is also part of who I am. I believe I am not half of this and half of that, actually I am the best of both worlds and try to find balance in my life choices.