Tūhonongā
Stand in Many Connections
For me these two kāmaka represent a connection and are a testament to a connection to land / people and belief, whilst walking gently and patiently in whakapono/ faith.
These works build on the two works Rau Aroha and Tū Tika o Nehe. While planning the exhibition at Bentley New Zealand I travelled home to Taranaki and chose a million year old rock and bought it back to Waiheke Island in my truck.
I split the rock and I understood that these particular works mattered and would make a difference. As Kōhatu were shaped and became smooth I was reminded of the rauru pattern that is often associated with Te Ao Mārama/ the world of light; two worlds in one, or a pebble dropped in a pool that ripples out, or the stone walls I had seen in the Gaeltacht and Otago Peninsula. I also thought of the Toroa/ Albatross colony at the end of the Peninsula and decided to carve a rauru which represents both journeying and the embrace of two elements around a central space of energy. I kept chipping away and I kept sanding.
I carved three smaller rauru designs on each rock to connect with our Raukura/ feather which links to peace with God/Atua, Whenua/ Land and Rangimarie/ Peace.
After the Kāmaka exhibition was blessed at Bentley, Michael Steedman and I met with Stanley, caretaker at Old Government House for the past 35 years, and he shared a story of his whānau, whakapapa and of two rakau / trees in the grounds. One was from the Governor General and the other is the moko / grandchild of Tane Māhuta. Stanley placed the Tūhononga stones on either side of the entranceway to these most beautiful trees.
Personally they have allowed connection and reconnection on a wairua whakapapa / spiritual and belonging level.
5 December 2022