The face of cultural unity

A veteran Tuhoe activist and an internationally acclaimed Bay of Plenty artist are collaborating on a series of paintings to be exhibited in Auckland.

The Ko Koe Ko Au (You and I) exhibition blends the distinct styles of Tame Iti and Owen Dippie together to tell a story of unity, strength, respect and understanding.


Veteran Tame Iti and acclaimed artist Owen Dippie. Photo: Supplied

This exhibition is on display at the OD Gallery on Auckland's Karangahape Road from February 27 to March 21.

Tame explains these new works deal with the issue of cultural erosion, and how Maori have dealt with this reality and offers it to everyone.

'New Zealand as we know it is in the midst of being re-colonised by American and corporate interests through the TPPA,” he warns.

'My collaboration with Owen shows how Maori and non-Maori can work together for a common goal. This is how we build a nation, with You and I”.

The Idea for Ko Koe Ko au was born when the two artists collaborated on a mural in the Taneatua township in the Eastern Bay of Plenty during November of last year.

The mural blends Owen's portrait of Tuhoe kuia Hokimoana Tawa, with Tame's landscape that features a number of ‘little people' which represents the generations standing in support.

Owen says he has long respected and resonated with Tame Iti, not only from an artistic perspective but also in the context of the important messages of heritage and identity articulated in his work.

'Working with Tame has felt very natural, he is completely fearless when it comes to breaking rules and trying new ideas,” describes Owen.

'Like myself Tame believes art is a universal language that we can use to communicate, create conversations and build relations.”

The Ko Koe Ko Au (You and I) exhibition featuring collaborative works by Tame Iti and Owen Dippie is on display at OD Gallery, 545 Karangahape Road, Auckland, from February 27 to March 31.

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1 comment

If these are the

Posted on 31-01-2016 15:29 | By Jimmy Ehu

of cultural unity, the Pope is not a Catholic!!!!"


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