Brett Graham
Artwork Detail
Ko Arekahānara tōku hāona kaha;
Ko Kemureti tōku oko horoi;
Ko Ngāruawāhia tōku tūrangawaewae
Alexandra [present-day Pirongia] will ever be a symbol of my strength of character
Cambridge a symbol of my wash bowl of sorrow
and Ngāruawāhia my footstool
Renowned carver and sculptor Brett Graham created this installation Tūrangawaewae, 1998 based on the famous tongi or prophetic saying from the second Māori King Tāwhiao Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero – a statement of unity, pride and strategic positioning
King Tāwhiao (circa 1825–1894) was regarded as a visionary who bequeathed wisdom in the form of prescient, philosophical and politically astute sayings which his Waikato iwi (tribes) still follow today. As a tribal descendant, Graham’s installation speaks to that legacy and to his interest in Tāwhiao’s teachings.
- Title
- Turangawaewae
- Artist/creator
- Brett Graham
- Production date
- 1997
- Medium
- laminated wood, native wood, gold leaf
- Dimensions
- 400 mm
- Credit line
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of Dame Jenny Gibbs, 2020
- Accession no
- 2020/15.1-3
- Other ID
- X2019/10.1-3 Former Exhibition Number
- Copyright
- Copying restrictions apply
- Department
- New Zealand Art
- Display status
- Not on display
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You are enquiring about:
Brett GrahamTurangawaewae
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