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Whakawhiti Āria: Transmission

Israel Birch, Content (2012), Mixed media and lacquer on stainless steel, 1000 x 1000mm. Courtesy of artist. Photo: David Lupton.

 

This exhibition profiles the work of three leading contemporary Maori artists, Shane Cotton, Israel Birch, and Robert Jahnke.

Conceived and curated by the artists, the exhibition hinges on the idea of 'transmission' or 'whakawhiti'; that is, the state of something being transmitted or exchanged from one person or thing to another, be it energy, ideas, information or inspiration. In addition the word 'aria'  meaning 'likeness' or 'resemblance', suggests a visual exchange; in this instance motif or iconography.

 

Shane Cotton, Inversion 2.0 (2010-2012), Acrylic on linen, 2650 x 2650mm. Collection of David Teplitzky & Peggy Scott, Israel.

 

 

Informed by these concepts, Birch, Cotton and Jahnke have produced new works that reference each other's practices. Through this act of transmission and exchange the artists acknowledge the mutual respect that exists between them as artistic contemporaries and colleagues. On a broader level, this conversation also emulates the ebb and flow of ideas, information, technology and imagery between cultures world-wide.

Exhibition developed and toured by Te Manawa with the generous support of Creative New Zealand.

 

 

 

Robbert Jahnke, He upoko tuhiuhi (2012), 1000 x 1000mm, Lacquer on stainless steel. Courtesy of artist. Photo: David Lupton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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