Tohu
This print is
from a painting called Remembrance.
The foreground of this design is based on markings are of special
significance to me. The symbols are some of my personal and treasured
tools of remembrance. They are symbols for me and they will be symbols
for my children, it is my right and my role to remember. Therefore the
source of the symbol will never die. They will never be forgotten.
The cross
represents past sacrifice.
The waka Tupapaku represents not just my ancestors of Ngati Hine but a
long line of ancestors that lead to me. The Waka Tupapaku is my claim,
my right to ownership and also my obligation and responsibility as
handed down by them. I have used sand and earth to build up the pattern
unaunahi which was carved into the wood to highlight the markings. This
was to enhance these patterns as another marking that links me to the
owner and creator of this object and the region of the carving style,
Taitokerau .
The markings engraved into the cross are marks of love, remembrance and
ownership.
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