Through HĀUKATI, Kezia Wakamoe confronts the individualism of colonial art by weaving the experiential collectiveness of ngā toi Māori (Māori art) into a space. This work is an extension of AUKATI, the progenitor of HĀUKATI. AUKATI had two consecutive showings in Heretaunga and Te Whanganui-a-Tara galleries in July 2021 and February 2022.
Throughout Whakamoe’s mahi, they wield Mātauranga Māori as the central pou of the work, inviting the beholder to experience the evolution of self through the journey Whakamoe has taken. In laying this invitation, they provide a revolutionary challenge: that grief, collectiveness, community and evolution can each exist safely within the confines of a single truth – life preservers.
Utilising tikanga Māori through audio and visual components creates an immersive space through which the art communicates. Throughout the space, clues to this kaitiakitanga (guardianship) can be found in the winking of eyes, the scent of fresh dirt and the use of te taiao (the natural world) to communicate evidence of life in death. By utilising the natural elements of our environment, Whakamoe invites our ātua into the space and liberates the symbiosis we continue to foster. This relationship is central to the task of evolving beyond the confines of colonial machinations, and is unwaveringly unique to this particular body of work, by this incredibly brave artist.
Kezia Whakamoe and Hā artists
Hā artists:
Tessa Williams
Renee Paku
Te Kahureremoa Taumata
Emma Kitson
Lanae Cable
Jamie Berry
Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti
Vanessa Wairata Edwards
Gina Matchitt
Kelly Jarvis
Tegan Hautapu
Kezia Whakamoe
Sound artists:
Jamie Berry, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi
Te Kahureremoa Taumata, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa.
HĀUKATI is a multi disciplinary show featuring indigenous, transformative, ceremonial art
practices rooted within Mātauranga Māori and expanding into the future.
Dreaming into decolonisation within the NZ art world, HĀUKATI re-indigenises spaces one
breath at a time.
