Rua Pick: Nga Huarahi Tawhito / Ancient Pathways

The Toko Mata Gallery presents an exhibition of new paintings by New Zealand artist Rua Pick.

These Taonga pay homage to the Tuuaapapa (Foundation) of sacred lands, a journey of many directions along ancient pathways, all connected in time and space.

Timeless creations written on stone so long ago, singing of the past, present and future like the bright stars above. This exhibition is a tribute to the ancient Nga Kai Tuhituhi (Scribes).

‘Nga Huarahi Tawhito’ follows on from the ‘Purapura Whetu’(Star Dust) Series - 2006, in which Rua painted old stories within the shapes of the Waitaha nga hoanga tuhituhi (rock drawings and paintings) of the South Island of New Zealand.

Within the formats of this current body of work I pay homage to the sacred rock art from around the world: Aotearoa, Rapanui, Hawaii, Utah and other ancient lands.

A number of the paintings are inspired from other forms such as manu tukutuku (kites), taha (gourds), kohei (pendants) - pekepeka, kopepe, rei miro and Sumerian sculpture. Voyages of sky, land and sea are portrayed within these most primal of windows. Te Ariki Tupoupou o nga Rangi, Te Waiariki, Te Ruapekapeka, Waitaha, ‘Anasazi’, Sumerian and other ancient cultures are honoured in these artworks. Te Manuhiri / The Shimmering Birds, dance within the paintings like stars reflected in the water.

Mai te rangi, ki te whenua
Mai te whenua, ki te rangi
Te porowhita o te moehewa hurihuri
Ka huri te Ao Pouri
Ka huri te Ao Marama From the heavens to the lands
From the lands to the heavens
The circle of the dream revolves
The world of darkness turns
The world of light turns.

Exhibition opening Thursday 16th October at 7 pm.