Poutu Puketapu
Ngaati Hikaro, Ngaati Porou
He uri teenei no Te Whaanau a Hunaara,
Te Whaanau a Te Aopare ki Kawakawa Mai Taawhiti, Ngaati Hikairo ki Kawhia Moana.
Ko Waipapa raaua ko Te Paerauta ngaa marae puumau.
Ko Aotea raaua ko Horouta ngaa waka.
Poutu Puketapu is a multimedia artist from Te Tairaawhiti whose everyday practice focuses on moko (tattoo practice) and whakairo (carving). His vast range of creative practice draws on traditional knowledge and puuraakau (customary storytelling) to guide and enhance his view of the contemporary world. Poutu’s creative ethos is inspired by the notion that in a world where so many are disconnected from their roots, maatauranga Maaori expressed through the arts can act as a conduit or umbilical cord for reconnection to te ao Maaori.
Oo-Rongo
Kanuka, muka, onewa, steel
Installation of full mara series
Left to right- Toki #2, Kaheru #3, Ketu #4, Kakau #1
V shaped Timo #7 and #8
Wall mounted Koo #5 and Koo with carved teka #9 (below)
This series of utauta maara (garden tools) draws on koorero tuku iho (knowledge handed down) to weave together the relationship between Maaori cultural and creative practices. The carving of each utauta manifests the abundance of Rongo (God of growth) to give life to a practical use in the maara. A seamless relationship embodying the energy of the Oorongonui marama (moon) phase which can be expressed by the proverb ‘Tama tuu he tama ora. Tama moe he tama mate’.
For sales enquiries, please contact artist directly: poupuketapu@gmail.com
