Image courtesy of Melissa Banks
To celebrate the opening of the exhibition "Te Tuhi o te Whenua; Pakohe Unearthed" at the Nelson Provincial Museum, Ruihana Smith will be hosting an artist talk focusing on his journey and work with Pakohe.
For contemporary Māori sculptor Ruihana (Ngāti Kuia), his journey with pakohe (argillite) started within Ngāti Kuia wāhi tīpuna (ancestral sites of Ngāti Kuia) in the Marlborough Sounds. Ruihana would pick up pakohe off the kāinga's beach to shape using the traditional hand-based techniques of his ancestors, learnt through trial and error.
Five years ago, Ruihana started his own studio Te Tauihu Taonga. Ruihana believes that the mauri (life force) that pakohe carries is that of the atua (gods), whenua (land) and awa (rivers) from which it is sourced, imbued into the object. Whakapapa informs everything.
Pakohe is an intrinsic part of identity in Te Tauihu; affinity with Pakohe is a key part of cultural revitalization.
This talk is held in partnership with the New Zealand Archaeological association.
Bookings are essential
By koha (donation)
Venue: Suter Art Gallery, 208 Bridge St, Nelson
Date: 03.07.2024
Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
On the evening: Nelson Provincial Museum, 270 Trafalgar St, Nelson, will be open for viewing Te Tuhi o te Whenua until 7.30pm