Whakaahua: Now I sit as Pounamu on Papatūānuku is a series of transformational images crafted from artist Tia Barrett’s (Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Te Rapuwai, Waitaha, Ngāti Tamainupō, Ngāti Maniapoto) earlier works. “These photographs traverse stages of change that depict my creative mauri as an entity, and how my mauri was affected in environments that held trauma and potential. Western education systems slowly exhausted my glow and discriminated against my unique Māori art practice,” she says. “The hope of possibility and the process of mauri ohooho nurtured my creative essence or energy back to a whole state of mauri ora. It reawakened a fresh potency of a mana wahine Māori perspective.”
Glossary. Mana wahine Māori, proud Māori woman. Mauri, spirit. Mauri ohooho, to nurture the potential in life force or energy. Mauri ora, full health, well-being, flourishing, potential.
Wormhole Gallery and Studio
Pūtauaki Edgecumbe, Bay of Plenty
wormhole-edk.com
@wormhole.edk
Whakaahua: Now I sit as Pounamu on Papatūānuku will run from 28 June–22 July 2023.
This gallery features in our Takurua Winter 2023 Edition.
Related Stories
“I want her to be proud that I’m her mother” – how the right support has helped a young mum find her self-worth
"I want her to be proud that I’m her mother" - how the right support has helped a young mum find her self-worth
Takakau – Flat Bread
Every culture has their own version of a flat bread, usually served to scoop up curries and soups, or to wrap slow-cooked meat topped with fresh salad and sauces.
A Growing Career
Hannah Greaves always envisioned a career in the primary sector. Although initially set on a career in farming, she realised dairy farming wasn’t for her and found herself pivoting to
