Ngā Kowhaiwhai
THE ART OF KOWHAIWHAI
By Philippa Devonshire
Kowhaiwhai is a unique art to our culture. It is symbolic, curvilinear painting that depicts elements of nature such as koru placing meanings and stories upon the formed patterns relevant to Maoritanga.
CONTEMPORARY PANELS (Side Walls)
TAMA-NUI-TE-RA
This is a contemporary panel design by Aunty Keiha Hammond (Kowhaiwhai Tutor). This panel has four elements. The sunrays of Tama-nui-te-ra. The clouds with taniwha and manaia which are an example of how shapes and forms can be seen within the clouds. Then there are two types of kowhaiwhai patterns which link each cloud with the next and form the continued ‘white life line' from the top to the bottom of the panel. One pattern symbolises the lament and love between Ranginui and Papatuanuku. The other pattern represents the strength and growing capacity Tama-nui-te-ra gives to us and the daylight hours we have to complete our work using our ‘hands'.
TANE-MAHUTA
The god of the forest is symbolisd by the rakau (white line line) surrounded by the variety of colours seen within the bush. Birds sit within the branches that bend towards Papatuanuku.
TANGAROA
This is symbolized by the Wheke. Within the face is a moko and running down each leg are tentacles 9koru) that symbolize generations. The contemporary colours used are those that can be seen in the sea. Each wheke touches the next forming the continued white life line.
PAPATUANUKU
With the separation of Rangi and Papa came light. Our panel depicts Papa during daylight. With the light came the growth of plants and man. The kowhaiwhai represents the spiritual aspect of life and the panel moves into the physical or realistic image of Papatuanuku.
TE RERENGA WAIRUA
Within this panel, there are three elements representing man, woman and infant, showing that at any age, a life can be taken. Patikitiki feeds the soul with love on its journey down the many streams, to finally leap from the roots of the pohutukawa - depicted around the patikitiki, to the underworld.
RANGINUI
This panel shows Ranginui in the sky, in the mythical form. He is made up of planets and stars. The koru in his eyes represents the planets. The galaxy revolves around in the bottom of the panel. The stars on either side are his children. The colours gold, blue , red, grey and black represent the different coloured skies.
Reference: Kereama, Te Pikikotuku. (1996). Taumata o te ra marae Opening Booklet. Graphic Press & Packaging Ltd, Levin.
Page last updated 13 Jan 2010
