Michael Parekōwhai
Artwork Detail
This instrument is one of a unique edition which has the collective title Ten Guitars. Each customised instrument has different patterns derived from kowhaiwhai (rafter paintings) and, like all multiple art works, each is numbered. Tua whitu, ‘the seventh’ in Te Reo Māori, is inlaid in paua-shell lettering at the 12th fret.
Engelbert Humperdink’s song Ten Guitars – the ‘B’ side of Please Release Me (1967) – was forgotten in the rest of the world but appropriated by Māori who had moved from rural areas to cities. As the artist has stated ‘in the 60s the guitar was like a portable marae’.
toru, wha…
(Recent Contemporary Acquisitions, 2002)
- Title
- Tua Whitu
- Artist/creator
- Michael Parekōwhai
- Production date
- 1999
- Medium
- custom-made ‘Patriot’ semi-acoustic jazz guitar, maple, spruce, rewarewa, kauri, ebony and paua
- Dimensions
- 1200 x 570 x 500 mm
- Credit line
- Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2001
- Accession no
- C2001/1/5.1-4
- Other ID
- C2001/1/5/1-3 Old Accession Number
- Copyright
- Copying restrictions apply
- Department
- New Zealand Art
- Display status
- Not on display
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Michael ParekōwhaiTua Whitu
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Reproduction enquiry
You are enquiring about:
Michael ParekōwhaiTua Whitu
This service only applies to select artworks in the Gallery's collection. Please fill out the form below and we will get in touch to confirm the details of your enquiry.
We manage your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy