Kaka-aku
Kaka-aku, installation view. Image courtesy of Ted Whittaker.
now on
14 Sep
–
2 Nov
Bobby Luke, Rosalie Koko, Tehani Ngapare Rau-Te-Tara Buchanan, Vince Ropitini
Kaka-aku is an exhibition featuring Tehani Ngapare Rau-Te-Tara Buchanan (Ngāti Rupe Makea, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mitiaro, Mangaia), Rosalie Koko (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Olosega), Bobby Luke (Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki) and Vince Ropitini (Taranaki, Ngāruahinerangi, Whakatōhea).
Through the forms of kākahu, tīvaevae and moving image, these artists honour the customary ways of their tūpuna while also offering invigorating adaptations that revitalise past traditions. In textile art, innovation is vital. Buchanan's use of the Japanese concept of kintsugi reflects the beauty in imperfection and incompletion, while Koko's muka embroidery and Sāmoan motifs draw her cultures together. Luke's selection of garments and moving image works draw heavily on his matriarchal influences and Taranakitanga. Ropitini places importance on kaupapa Māori and mātauranga Māori led design while working with fashion to reconnect with his heritage. The artistic practices of kākahu and tīvaevae may seem diametrically opposed, but they both have roots in kaka-aku, literally meaning textile fibre.
Kaka-aku considers the role that ringatoi Māori and Moana have to play in not only upholding, but advancing our art forms.
Curated by Brooke Pou
Event
Tīvaevae workshop with Tipurepure Au Vaine
Join us at Enjoy for a workshop with the Porirua based Cook Islands sewing group Tipurepure Au Vaine. During this workshop the group will share examples of tīvaevae before guiding attendees on how to make their own pattern.
More info
Kaka-aku, installation view. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Tehani Ngapare Rau-Te-Tara Buchanan & Ngapare Poko Taua (1905-1974), Nā Ngapare ngā painapa (Ngapare’s Pineapples), c. 1924-2024, aslan cotton, sequins. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Tehani Ngapare Rau-Te-Tara Buchanan & Ngapare Poko Taua (1905-1974), Nā Ngapare ngā painapa (Ngapare’s Pineapples), c. 1924-2024, aslan cotton, sequins. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Tehani Ngapare Rau-Te-Tara Buchanan & Ngapare Poko Taua (1905-1974), Nā Ngapare ngā painapa (Ngapare’s Pineapples), c. 1924-2024, aslan cotton, sequins. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Tehani Ngapare Rau-Te-Tara Buchanan & Ngapare Poko Taua (1905-1974), Nā Ngapare ngā painapa (Ngapare’s Pineapples), c. 1924-2024, aslan cotton, sequins. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Rosalie Koko, Tauhere, Fa’atasi, 2022, muka embroidery on cotton appliqué. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Rosalie Koko, Tauhere, Fa’atasi, 2022, muka embroidery on cotton appliqué. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Rosalie Koko, Tauhere, Fa’atasi, 2022, muka embroidery on cotton appliqué. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Rosalie Koko, Tauhere, Fa’atasi, 2022, muka embroidery on cotton appliqué. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Vince Ropitini, garments from The Art of Passive Resistance collection (2023). Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Vince Ropitini, garments from The Art of Passive Resistance collection (2023). Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Vince Ropitini, garments from The Art of Passive Resistance collection (2023). Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Vince Ropitini, garments from The Art of Passive Resistance collection (2023). Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Vince Ropitini, garments from The Art of Passive Resistance collection (2023). Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, garments from Oranga Ngākau (2023) and Kākahu Hou (2018) collections. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, garments from Oranga Ngākau (2023) and Kākahu Hou (2018) collections. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, garments from Oranga Ngākau (2023) and Kākahu Hou (2018) collections. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, garments from Oranga Ngākau (2023) and Kākahu Hou (2018) collections. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, garments from Oranga Ngākau (2023) and Kākahu Hou (2018) collections. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, garments from Oranga Ngākau (2023) and Kākahu Hou (2018) collections. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, garments from Oranga Ngākau (2023) and Kākahu Hou (2018) collections. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Vince Ropitini, Ask That Mountain, 2023, moving image with audio. Videography and Editing by Camden Jackson & Gala Baumfield. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Vince Ropitini, Ask That Mountain, 2023, moving image with audio. Videography and Editing by Camden Jackson & Gala Baumfield. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, Wai te Ika, moving image with audio, 2018. Director and cinematographer: Bobby Luke, model: Carlida Te Awhe, location: Tangahoe, Taranaki. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, Wai te Ika, moving image with audio, 2018. Director and cinematographer: Bobby Luke, model: Carlida Te Awhe, location: Tangahoe, Taranaki. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, Whiri Kare, moving image with audio, 2019. Director and cinematographer: Bobby Luke, model: Carlida Te Awhe, location: Taiporohēnui Pā, Tangahoe. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
Bobby Luke, Whiri Kare, moving image with audio, 2019. Director and cinematographer: Bobby Luke, model: Carlida Te Awhe, location: Taiporohēnui Pā, Tangahoe. Image courtesy of Ted Whitaker.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Tehani Ngapare Rau-Te-Tara Buchanan (she/her/ia) is an educator, Senior Advisor for a Government org, writer, māmā of two and curator of beautiful things. Born in Rarotonga, she is of Cook Islands Māori (Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Mitiaro, Mangaia) and Scottish descent. Finding joy in interior design, fashion styling, creative direction, writing and conceptual experiences, Tehani’s creative practice centres on life experiences, self-expression as a healing modality and indigenous reclamation. Her current artistic focus is learning the art of tivaevae, under the nurturing tutelage of local Cook Islands mamas, imbuing a unique perspective to the traditional art form. Tehani is based in Parirua, Te Whanganui-a-Tara with her two children, Amalija & Gabrijel and is committed to raising her children in their culture and reo rangatira.
Rosalie Koko is a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based artist, descending from Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga and Olosega. She has a diverse practice that spans painting and textiles, building on traditional modes of making grounded in whakapapa. Tīpuna/tupuga created patterns with inherent connotational meaning, passed down through the traditional arts of kōwhawhai, raranga and siapo. Rosalie examines the tension between pattern and figurative imagery as modes of expression.
Bobby Luke (Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki) is a prac-ademic who works at the intersection of academic research and creative practice. He sees practice-led research as a means of exploring new and innovative approaches to design, methodology and creative impact. Dr. Luke is not impartial or apologetic about the promotion of Kaupapa Māori led design and aims to promote a greater understanding of Indigenous design culture, and to challenge the dominance of Western design paradigms and pedagogy. Dr. Luke also has his own brand, Campbell Luke – traversing practices of moving image and photography, as a means to visually communicate and disseminate his research.
Vince Ropitini is an uri of Taranaki, Ngāruahinerangi me Whakatōhea. Following the completion of a Bachelor of Design, graduating with First Class Honours in Fashion, he has continued to develop his own label, Obsolescence Clothing. This acts as a reflection of his own journey, as well as being a point of reference for the preservation of mātauranga Māori. Cultural sustainability is found at the core of his design development, not only as a vessel for preserving the knowledge of his ancestors, but as a personal journey of reconnecting with his heritage. Each and every one of Ropitini’s garments tell a story, with the wairua of the storyteller being woven into each piece as it is created.
'O lima alofa nei sa su’isu’iina lenei 'ie.
Nā ēnei ringa aroha i tuitui ki tēnei kuira.
These loving hands stitched on this quilt.
Rosalie Koko would like to acknowledge all those who contributed to Tauhere, Fa'atasi:
Erena Arapere
Misty Barnes
Cheyenne Church
Frances Dawson
Brent Dunn
Anahera Hunapo
Pania Koko
Joseph Koko
Kerry Koko
Felaua’i Manusina
Karangawai Marsh
Tūheimoa Maruera
Aroha Matchitt-Millar
Poppy McCombe
Andrew McIntosh
Matiria McIntosh
Pu’e McIntosh
Samitioata Koko McIntosh
Ripeka Paapu
Mari Ropata-Te Hei
Arapera Taiapa-Johnson
Akeina Tairea
Rereao Taite
Ramairoa Tawera
Kura Te Waru Rewiri
Tui Whareaitu