Artist’s statement
Rebecca Toki
Ngāti Hao, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Kuta, Ngāti Manu
Ko Te Tawaka tōku whāwhārua, i whakaruruhia te whenua e tōna mana whakaheke. Ko Matekino tōku karani māmā, nānā te paparahi i takoto. I hangaia e ia te ara, hei tauira mōku.
He tangata ahuwhenua tōku pāpā, mā ōna ringa ōku ringa e ārahi. Ko Whakanekeneke tōku tino wāhi.
Based on ‘the remembering’, creating visual mnemonics made up of a series of components and materials that trigger ancestral memory and spark kōrero. They centre on the essence of whakapapa and navigation and act as a reflection of the unbroken chain that connects across generations. They are a reminder of what has been accomplished and what is yet to be.
Ko te taiao te tino taonga.
Contact: becatoki@gmail.com
Dive into the details
"Ko whakanekeneke tōku tino wāhi.
Based on 'the remembering', creating visual mnemonics made up of a series of components and materials that trigger ancestral memories and spark kōrero. They centre on the essence of whakapapa ad navigation and act as a reflection of the unbroken chain that connects across generations. They are a reminder of what has been accomplished and what is yet to be.
Ko te taiao te tino taonga."
Essays
Explore in-depth writing about He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai: Weaving the Elements.
Whenu(a), Atua: Returning to Hine-te-iwaiwa through the maternal language of whatu
Dr Hinekura Smith (Te Rarawa, Nga Puhi)
1974 words
The language of weaving resonates deeply with the feminine and maternal body – as long as we use that language.
Ngaa ahuatanga marire mo te koiora - The Elementals essential for life
Ruth Port (Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri)
2950 words
A journey of re-connection and knowledge recovery as a group of weavers unravel long lost techniques used by Māori ancestral sail makers.
