Jermaine Reihana further explicates the significance of his preoccupation with tui and the journey on which tui has taken him, at once personal, genealogical and arcane, opening Saturday 2 July, 2pm to 3.30pm.
Tui is both beginning and end, point of departure and destination, and symbolises life as a sacred mandala, an ever-present whole into which Tui is forever woven. Tui’s voice is the golden thread of unity and the assurance that we are not alone. Tui’s presence brings the promise of harmony and that all is of the greater plan.
This series of works replicates aspects of the wharenui which inform and lay the platform for understanding who we are, where we come from and what we can expect and aspire to achieve in life’s journey as Māori. In relation to tui the intricate tukutuku panels of the wharenui, which are integral to Reihana’s work, articulate the harmonics of its ancient and deeply spiritual call.
Tuia i runga. Tuia I raro. Tuia i waho. Tuia I roto. Tuia te here tangata. Ka rongo te po. Ka rongo te ao. Haumi e …. Hui e…. Taiki e
Jermaine Reihana is an emerging Māori artist. He studied at Massey University School of Māori Visual Arts in Palmerston North, graduating with honours in 2012. Reihana’s work featured in the most comprehensive survey of Māori Contemporary art, Te Atinga: 25 years of Contemporary Maori Art during 2013 and subsequently published 2014. Jermaine is currently taking part in a residency with Depot Artspace while based at Corban Estate Arts Centre and continues to work with troubled youth through the Kakano Youth Arts Collective.
Special thanks to Abodo for their support of Te Matahi 2.0.
Opening Saturday 2 July, 2pm to 3.30pm.
Saturday 2 July to Wednesday 20 July
Small Dog Gallery
