RITUAL OFFERINGS
Alix Ashworth
This work explores connection to identity through collection of native terra, flora and fauna. Using these items and bringing them up in our view, from ordinary to taonga (treasure).
Each taonga that has been chosen holds cultural or personal significance to me as tangata whenua. As I transform these items through firing I focus on how I connect with my Tipuna through this, offering them in solemn ceremony.
The 80 vessels have been hand blended from four main colours of clay. This represents Nga Hau e Wha (The Four Winds). They cascade evenly begining with Parauri (brown) then, Ma (white), Kiwikiwi (grey), Pango (black) and back to Parauri again. A full circle, showing diversity.
The vessel is lined with a clean white glaze to better show the taonga inside. Then each colour of clay has a portion of each taonga, measured and fired.
This firing is quite volitile and experimental as the taonga react with the heat and the uku (clay) they can bubble, boil and explode. Meaning perfect results are not guaranteed. This reaction and connection between the chosen uku and taonga is the exciting part.
There are two Kaitiaki (Guardians) flanking the vessels. These are named Toku Whenua (My Land) and Toku Manawa (My Heart). They protect the space between them.
When I work with hei tiki and manaia there is a sense of "Ka mua, ka muri" (looking to the past to inform the future). The personification of these spirits connects me with those that have gone before and those that will come after me.
I am inspired by Louise Bourgoise for her strength in creating work that emotes and is very personal. As well as Sarah Hutching and the group Kauae Raro. A collection of wahine that visit parts of Aotearoa, learning the histories there and collecting small amounts of earth to make pigments from.
It is my hope that in making this work I initiate conversation around what is a treasure, who is kaitiaki for the land we stand on and how can Te Ao Maori help us feel more connected to that land, and each other.
