Art exhibition Nga Huarahi Tawhito / Ancient Pathways, paintings by Rua Pick is at the Toko Mata Gallery in Christchurch from October 16 to November 22.

Artist comment: Rua Pick
These Taonga (Treasures) pay homage to the Tuuaapapa (Foundation) of many sacred lands, a journey of many directions along ancient pathways, all connected in time and space. Art exhibition Nga Huarahi Tawhito / Ancient Pathways, paintings by Rua Pick is at the Toko Mata Gallery in Christchurch from October 16 to November 22.

Artist comment: Rua Pick
These Taonga (Treasures) pay homage to the Tuuaapapa (Foundation) of many sacred lands, a journey of many directions along ancient pathways, all connected in time and space.Timeless creations written on stone so long ago, singing of the past, present and future like the bright stars above. This exhibition is a tribute to the ancient Nga Kai Tuhituhi (Scribes).

'Nga Huarahi Tawhito' follows on from the 'Purapura Whetu' (Star Dust) Series - 2006, in which I painted old stories within the shapes of the Waitaha nga hoanga tuhituhi (rock drawings and paintings) of the South Island of New Zealand.

Within the formats of this current body of work I pay homage to the sacred rock art from around the world: Aotearoa, Rapanui, Hawaii, Utah and other ancient lands. A number of the paintings are inspired from other forms such as manu tukutuku (kites), taha (gourds), kohei (pendants) - pekapeka, kopepe, rei miro and Sumerian sculpture. Voyages of sky, land and sea are portrayed within these most primal of windows. Te Ariki Tupoupou o nga Rangi, Te Waiariki, Te Ruapekapeka, Waitaha, 'Anasazi', Sumerian and other ancient cultures are honoured in these artworks. Te Manuhiri / The Shimmering Birds, dance within the paintings like stars reflected in the water.

Mai te rangi, ki te whenua
Mai te whenua, ki te rangi
Te porowhita o te moehewa hurihuri
Ka huri te Ao Pouri
Ka huri te Ao Marama From the heavens to the lands
From the lands to the heavens
The circle of the dream revolves
The world of darkness turns
The world of light turns.

Nga Huarahi Tawhito / Ancient Pathways
New Works / Paintings by Rua Pick

PREVIEW: Thursday 16th October @ 7 pm
October 16th - November 22nd 2008

Toko Mata Gallery
82 Lichfield Street
Christchurch, NZ
Email: ruapick@yahoo.co.nz
Phone: 021 024 86 133
www.ruapick.vc.net.nz

GALLERY HOURS
Monday - Friday 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Saturdays 12:00 - 2:00 pm

29/09/08