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Thursday, 18 February 2021, 4:15 pm
Govett-Brewster
Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre - photo credit Patrick
Reynolds
The Govett-Brewster Art
Gallery / Len Lye Centre have teamed up with the Auckland
Art Fair 2021 as its exclusive Museum Partner, forging a
stronger connection between the national art event and
Taranaki as a vibrant, creative place.
The Auckland
Art Fair is the biggest event on the nation’s visual arts
calendar, and an important opportunity for Taranaki to
connect to thousands of art collectors and supporters.
Through a creative collaboration between Taranaki
organisations and attractions Len Lye’s Big Blade
sculpture will be on display for the first time in Auckland
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Stuff
Sculptor and installation artist Brett Graham says his sculptures are designed to have a physical and emotional impact on the viewer. It was there he spent time researching the history of the relationship between Taranaki and Tainui Māori, and a pact of solidarity, known as Te Kīwai o te Kete which was forged during the New Zealand land wars. Raised in the Waikato, he said there were constant reminders of how land had been confiscated from Māori, something he believed Taranaki tangata whenua could also relate closely with. “You just scratch the surface and you realise that the landscape is full of reminders of that, specifically if you re Māori,” Graham said.
Tai Moana Tai Tangata is not a show to entertain or amuse. It encourages the viewer to stop, think and reflect on our region’s history, and from Graham’s perspective, learn something too. I was born and raised in Waitara, where I once unwittingly walked streets named McLean, Parris, Cracroft and Browne, unaware they recognised men who had a direct role in the land confiscation and subsequent conflict which shaped the town and caused an enduring mamae (hurt) for tangata whenua. There was a time I never knew Te Kohia Pā existed, or where the Pekapeka block was, nevermind the history of Parihaka and messages of peace promoted by prophets Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi.