Papare / Protection
Sculpture BY THE SEA BONDI 2023
Forde was one of two NZ artists selected to exhibit at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2023, which celebrated its 25th exhibition from 20 October – 6 November. The world’s largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition featured over 100 artworks from Australian and international artists along the spectacular 2km Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. One of Australia’s leading cultural events, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi attracts 450,000 visitors over the course of 18 days and signals the beginning of summer in Sydney.
Forde’s 25m2 installation, Papare / Protection features on the Marks Park peninsula at Bondi, addressing the Pacific Ocean and the elevated headland. Papare features 60 individual pou / contemporary sculptures of 2.7m tall larger-than-life male and female figures installed in ten groups of six representing a kao kao pattern. Anton Forde’s Pou are time-travelling sentinels. All-seeing, all knowing, listening, individually and collectively they stand as guardians and protectors. Papare/Protection builds on the idea that each individual Pou can make a beautiful statement whilst also making a statement as a whole work. For this work the kao kao raranga/weaving is created by assembling 60 Carved/ sculpted hardwood 2.7 meter tall Pou sculptures installed in ten lots of six in a V formation which links to the haka formation of protection, or birds migrating. The V or kao kao formations are clearly visible from the sky, sea and land and together present a dominating and sheltering presence on the exposed headland. Forde says,
“Walking among them, we might take measure of our smallness in relation to the majesty of nature, of time, and of the many generations of people to have come before and who will come after.”
Ngā Manaaki is installed at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail in Matakana from October 2023. This work features 39 Pou in a single kao kao arrowhead formation on a sloping site, facing 5 “Pae Pae” Pou on the facing bank on the other side of a pond. The pattern is associated with protecting home.
The artist hopes the 39+5 kao kao sculpture at Brick Bay and the 6×10 kao kao sculpture at Sculpture on the Sea Bondi 2023 together create a symbolic offering of kotahitanga – unity – and whakamaru – protection – for the land and the ocean that connects us. The artist, drawing upon his knowledge and connections, hopes these works inspires us,to conceive of ourselves as kaitiaki or guardians of the land and sea, rather than as possessor or exploiter. Anton Forde says
“with these works, my hope is to bring attention to the need for us to unify to protect Te Ao / our world for future generations. I hope these works connect us to our whenua / land and
moana / oceans in a way that makes us want to do more to protect them.”