Matariki Muva
Description
Statement from the artist:
"In the Whakawhetū exhibition I created 9 paintings, each representing each star of te iwa o Matariki (the nine stars of Matariki). In the designs for these paintings, I used elements from traditional forms of kōwhaiwhai and whakairo to link the stars to their associations within the environment.
Matariki is the “Mother Star”.
Throughout the creation of this design I considered all of the mothers I knew in this lifetime. I thought of my own mother, my friends, my aunties, my teachers; and
the ways which I've witnessed them embody motherhood. When I think of these women I think about fierce protection, beauty and divine femininity.
I focussed on personifying hyper feminine. I wanted her to be dangerous, because when you’re protective even though that protective energy is fuelled by love; the dedication to ensuring safety within the lives of your loved ones is undeniable.
This is where the nihoniho, triangular shapes, or sharp studded armour come into play. The raperape or spiral that she holds in the center can be seen as her pito, pepi, wharetangata, or center core. This is what she protects at all costs.
Amoungst all the beauty and danger I still wanted this figure to seem a bit well, TIRED. Because although this womans work is important and empowering, it is also simply bloody exhausting too.
Big mihi & kihi to all the badass mamas out there, this one is for YOU."
- Maia Keane, 2023
Maker and role
Maia Keane
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Object detail
"In the Whakawhetū exhibition I created 9 paintings, each representing each star of te iwa o Matariki (the nine stars of Matariki). In the designs for these paintings, I used elements from traditional forms of kōwhaiwhai and whakairo to link the stars to their associations within the environment.
Matariki is the “Mother Star”.
Throughout the creation of this design I considered all of the mothers I knew in this lifetime. I thought of my own mother, my friends, my aunties, my teachers; and
the ways which I've witnessed them embody motherhood. When I think of these women I think about fierce protection, beauty and divine femininity.
I focussed on personifying hyper feminine. I wanted her to be dangerous, because when you’re protective even though that protective energy is fuelled by love; the dedication to ensuring safety within the lives of your loved ones is undeniable.
This is where the nihoniho, triangular shapes, or sharp studded armour come into play. The raperape or spiral that she holds in the center can be seen as her pito, pepi, wharetangata, or center core. This is what she protects at all costs.
Amoungst all the beauty and danger I still wanted this figure to seem a bit well, TIRED. Because although this womans work is important and empowering, it is also simply bloody exhausting too.
Big mihi & kihi to all the badass mamas out there, this one is for YOU."
- Maia Keane, 2023
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