DOUBLE FIRED

This exhibition is dedicated to creating a moment in time for the viewer, whether it be through a quote, a smell, a taste, or even music. These elements will evoke memories for many of us.

Creating spiritual artworks in pattern and design often involves upholding tikanga, which refers to Maori customs, principles and values. In the context of Maori art, tikanga guides the process, ensuring cultural authenticity and spiritual integrity.

This includes respecting protocols around symbolism, materials used and the intended spiritual meanings conveyed through pattern and designs. Historically Maori artists have woven intricate narratives and spiritual beliefs into their artworks, such as carvings (whakairo) and weaving (raranga). These artworks not only serve as visual expressions but also as repositories of cultural knowledge and spiritual connection to ancestors ( tupuna) and the natural world. Therefore , upholding tikanga is essential for producing spiritual artwork that authentically reflects Maori and also my own beliefs, values and heritage.

The use of glass waka (boats) represents not only the arrival of the seven waka but also the boats that have come from afar, such as trade boats or ships that brought people here. This method of transport was integral in building our country. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same canoe now." The waka boats I have created are inspired by Viking shapes, incorporating both Celtic and kowhaiwhai patterns to reflect whakapapa and history.

The colour palette I used is inspired by the natural surroundings of Northland New Zealand. Blues and greens can evoke the sea and sky, while earthy tones like browns and greens represent the whenua and forests paying homage to Papatuanuku.

I have included Maori and Celtic symbols or motifs associated with Tangaroa and Papatuanuku. This could range from waves and water patterns to koru (spirals) and other traditional designs for these entities. I utilise the transparency and light-catching properties of glass to evoke the clarity and depth of the ocean waters around Northland. The light plays through the glass to enhance the symbolic representation of Tangaroa's domain.

Travel and movement through the combining of cultures. I want my work to address the historical contexts of cultural travel and movement, including colonialism, imperialism, trade routes, globalisation and how these historical processes have shaped our contemporary cultural landscape and identities.

The paintings in this exhibition feature individuals who have inspired through their actions and quotes. Whether you agree or disagree with what they represent or have said, these figures have undeniably shaped the world as it is today.

I hope you enjoy this exhibition, and gain something from it. Because, in the words of a very wise man “The closest thing to immortality is to share knowledge”. (Dalai Lama)

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My interest in vessels and water started in early childhood. I can remember removing the bark from our tree tomato tree to make a canoe. Since then I’ve lived on a yacht, sailed the Pacific and researched the seafaring culture of the South Pacific.

My sculptures reflect the histories of distant cultures united by their relationship with the ocean. They pay homage to my Celtic heritage and the culture of my homeland, New Zealand. They convey the idea of migration, narrative, and transportation of cultural beliefs and traditions. These sculptures allude to the importance of the sea in the practical and spiritual life of these cultures.

Glass, with its colour, transparency and reflection is an ideal medium to express the essence of water and the spiritual nature of these vessels.

The lost wax casting process allows time to contemplate the development of the form and to push the technical boundaries. The tattooed patterns are individually carved into the wax to tell a story.