Artist Concept:
Tiki Echoes is a deeply personal exploration of cultural intersection and the complexities of identity. This piece is constructed from a repurposed canvas that dates back over 15 years, featuring a Tiki originally created from buttons and string. The work is a fusion of three different paintings, carefully deconstructed and reimagined as strips, alongside acrylic elements and delicate leaf skeletons gifted by wonderful community member.
In revisiting the Tiki in this piece, I acknowledge my evolving understanding of cultural sensitivity and appropriation. When I first created the Tiki, I was unaware of the broader cultural implications. Today, with the guidance and input of Māori friends, I approach this symbol with the respect it deserves, recognizing the deep significance it holds in Māori culture. My intention is to honour the Tiki's spiritual and cultural heritage while reflecting on my own journey and the layered histories we all carry.
This piece also draws a quiet connection to the broader cultural education in New Zealand, shaped in part by figures like Gordon Tovey, whose post-war influence on arts education fostered a deep appreciation for both Māori and Pākehā traditions. Tiki Echoes invites viewers to consider the complexities of identity and the ongoing dialogue between past and present.
Footnote: "Gordon Tovey: Arts Education in New Zealand," is a facinating documentary regarding Toveys incredible transformation of the curriculm for NZ school children, as the "Minister for Arts and Crafts" in New Zealand directly after WW2.
Junk and Disorderly Disclaimer:
I am in the business of Junk, old unused items people are going to throw away. My joy as a recreator is to wave my magic shiny wand and transform them into something I am proud to send out my door. It must be said though, that there is nothing perfect in the old (sorry mum) - if you look closely, you are going to find rust, scratches or the odd ugly backside as I endeavour to do my best in a sustainable way. With upcycling, must come the understanding that these come to you flawed like the sediment in an old wine, or a tarnished old coin from years ago. Enjoy the old and celebrate our flaws, old or new! Thanks MSM.
Tiki Echoes
My Shiny Perspective:
My Shiny Perspective:
Tiki Echoes is a reflection on the layers of history and identity that inform our present. The Tiki, initially a simple creation of buttons and string from over a decade ago, now finds itself at the heart of a complex narrative—one that weaves together old canvases, acrylic strips, and the delicate remnants of leaves.
While this piece is rooted in my own personal history, it also speaks to the broader cultural context in which I grew up—one influenced by the arts curriculum that brought Māori practices like poi and stick games into the fabric of our childhoods. With a nod to Gordon Tovey’s legacy in New Zealand education, Tiki Echoes serves as a quiet reminder of the ongoing conversation between the past and the present, between cultures, and within ourselves.
