Artist: Simi Paris

Title: Mai e Te Pouri ki Te Marama

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas, Muka, Copper

Hue or Taha have fascinated me for years and have been a subject of mine on many occasions. As a tauira I was introduced to the Taonga Māori collection of Taha huahua at Te Papa Museum.

I have visited this particular collection several times in the last decade, these hue fill me with awe, they have informed my studies and on one occasion I had the privileged to take personal images.

These Taonga Tuku Iho remain in a controlled, dark atmosphere on a lower shelf in an enormous cavernous room of Māori taonga and artefacts.

They are ancient, in disrepair and very beautiful.

My painting brings this taha out of the dark and into the light, “Mai E Te Pouri Ki Te Marama”

The Koru is representative of life, strength and courage, empowering us not to give up hope, also offers abundance, protection and fighting spirit for future generations