Artist Statement
Born and raised within the Maori culture of Aotearoa New Zealand I learnt about spiritual and physical energies that later influenced my identifying perspective studying art at Sydney University School of the Arts.
Family geneology plays a major role in Maori identifying as artists whether in public or on the Pa.
My work focuses on the female perspectives of Maori culture influenced easily by many stronge willed aunties and nannies. Their sense of humour mixed with old wisdom and knowledge was a joyful contribution to my life. I try to capture this laughter in the spirit of my works.
The female entities in Maori culture are vast. Life is seen as having many steps within a single universe where the spirit and soul have atua to guide and teach them. I express this spiritual aspect of the feminine through my mahi.
I paint layered weaving patterns of memories bonding laughter with colour and story to unfold to the viewer some humour as a single Maori parent living away from my heart's home.
Common symbols like the cherry tree and playing cards on a blanket represent the familiar childhood memories mixed with nature as a Maori teacher.
Rituals and customs are vividly expressed in my works using the wharenui or big house as a symbolic reference to Maori presence.
Telling stories from a Maori perspective requires faith in accepting the past present and future can exist at one time for our beliefs.