Project 47 - Off The Ground - Tūwhana

Tūwhana

Waiariki Parata-Taiapa (Kāi Tahu), Heramaahina Eketone (Ngāti Maniapoto me Waikato) and Alex Whitaker
1 - 13 March
23 Princes Street
Property Partner: Haranda Investments
Images: Justin Spiers

Tūwhana was a collaboration between Waiariki Parata-Taiapa (Kāi Tahu), Heramaahina Eketone (Ngāti Maniapoto me Waikato) and Alex Whitaker. The artists worked on site for 2 weeks constructing the narrative from personal research and in discussion with visitors to the space. Tūwhana concluded with a silent auction and a celebration of their collective residency.

Text from the Tūwhana exhibition

Tūwhana (noun) river-crossing pole- a pole held breast high for linking people when crossing a river where the strongest people were positioned at each end of the pole, to prevent the smaller or weaker members of the party from being washed off their feet.

A collaborative approach led to the question- what is a tūwhana for our daily lives?

The porotiti is the central work, the two strings that make it spin reach up to Ranginui and down to Paptūānuku. All living things exist between the two. Our living art exists in the same way, bounded by Ranginui and Papatūānuku, and supported by our friends and whānau.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou

Media

Tūwhana interview with Waiariki Parata-Taiapa Waatea Radio Breakfast with Dale Husband (Ngati Maru/Tainui)

Dunedin art in unexpected places Standing Room Only with Lynn Freeman