Te Whā a Huna
Ngāti Tuwharetoa. Established 2023, Tūrangi, Aotearoa New Zealand. Based Tūrangi
Museum of Contemporary Art
Hone Bailey
From Nukuhau
Lives and works in Lāie, Hawai’i
Paehoro Konui
From Tūrangi
Lives and works in Tūwharetoa
Meraania HekeChase-Perich
From Nukuhau
Lives and works in Kirikiriroa
Manu Fox
From Ōtukou
Lives and works in Rotoaira/Tūrangi
PUNARUA, 2023-2024
harakeke
Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous assistance from Creative New Zealand and Te Kapua Whakapipi Trust and assistance from the Chartwell Charitable Trust
Courtesy the artists
The collective Te Whā a Huna, led by Māori artist Hone Bailey, is deeply influenced by tribal stories, histories and genealogies.
As Bailey explains:
‘PUNARUA pays homage to an esteemed leader of Tūwharetoa, koro Te Kanawa Pitiroi, who was pivotal in preserving the oral traditions of our iwi (tribe). One story in particular, Māui-takitaki- o-te-rā, has been the inspiration and guiding narrative in the creation of this piece.
Māui and his brothers set out to capture the sun to prolong the days so their people could complete their daily tasks. Māui’s resilience, through failed attempts, leads him to seek higher knowledge from his sister, Hinauri, who imparts to him the secret: a single strand of her hair woven into one of their ropes. Armed with this knowledge, Māui and his brothers braided ropes using different braiding techniques such as pāraharaha, rino, tuamaka and tarikarakia.
With these ropes and the wisdom of his grandmother, Murirangawhenua, Māui and his brothers possessed the magical tools needed to lasso Tama-nui-te-rā (the Sun) and surrender him. PUNARUA serves as a powerful visual reminder of the essential role our women play as knowledge bearers.’
Te Whā a Huna, deeply rooted in the ancestral stories, histories, and genealogies of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa tribe, emphasises the preservation and accessibility of their artforms for future generations. The collective of weavers, all descendants of the tribe, united to foster Te Wharepora (Māori Weaving Arts) within their tribal lands. Originating from a regional need for culturally significant items, these members passionately promote the art form and its language.
Te Whā a Huna, deeply rooted in the ancestral stories, histories, and genealogies of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa tribe, emphasises the preservation and accessibility of their artforms for future generations. The collective of weavers, all descendants of the tribe, united to foster Te Wharepora (Māori Weaving Arts) within their tribal lands. Originating from a regional need for culturally significant items, these members passionately promote the art form and its language.
Read more about the 24th Biennale of Sydney, Ten Thousand Suns, by purchasing the catalogue here.