He tātai whetū ki te rangi | Reuben Paterson

He tātai whetū ki te rangi, mau tonu, mau tonu, he tātai tāngata ki te whenua, ngaro noa, ngaro noa.

As humans our time on earth is but fleeting, yet the stars that hang in the sky, they will last forever.

Engage with contemporary artist Reuben Paterson’s (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe and Tūhourangi) awe-inspiring sculpture in this free public artist kōrero (talk). 

Rising vertically from Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s forecourt pool, the stunning 10-metre-high crystal waka casts a galaxy of stars over the Gallery and beyond. Combining references to natural and supernatural realms, the sculpture draws upon Māori cosmology and creation narratives. 

Celebrate this artwork that was over two years in the making with the artist himself, as he introduces this taonga (treasure) to the public for the very first time.