Tangaroa / Blue series- Artworks By Artist Rua Pick 2003

TANGAROA: 30th October -- 29th November 2003, Toko Mata Studio/Gallery
Tangaroa / Deity of Water, encompasses themes of water with Polynesian mythological and historical narratives. Tangaroa is a homage and a voyage into the watery realms of Tangaroa. Experimenting with formats, the children of Tangaroa (Whales, Seabirds etc.. become windows within which we view ancient stories depicted in places relative to the narrative. Utilizing the introspective and contemplative energy of winter, turning mind inwards to the inner depths of creativity, Tangaroa was completed. I endeavor to honor the Wairua /Spirit, histories and the Kai Purakau / Storytellers through a visual narrative. After spending so many months immersed in the watery element I feel as if I have experienced only a drop of water in the vast endless ocean. Born on the Island of Moturua in the Bay of Islands, Karoro inu tai / I grew up around Tangaroa / the sea. Moving to Russell I spent many early morning hours fishing off the wharf, feeling the oceans many moods, learning patience in fishing for Tangaroa's children. From this process I learnt to paint, casting my hook into the waihanga / creative waters, catching new ideas through the picture frame like Tangaroa's breathing, the tide coming in and going out. If the marae of Tangaroa survives, so will the People/ Toi tu te marae a Tangaroa, toi tu te iwi.