Tangaroa Ararau

This work speaks to notions of navigation, voyaging, connections and re-connections – and toi Māori as a medium to guide us, help us shift through systems, places and spaces, including our every day lives. The stylised pūhoro references concepts of resilience within rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga of te taiao, moana, awa, whenua. The taniwha reminds us to be aware of the tables we sit at and and the seats we hold – the accountability and responsibility we have to ensure we are active, we progress, we are innovative, we care, we are doing our best to represent and lead.

Tai works as a full time artist, designer and dad from his home based studio in Ūawa, Tolaga Bay. He has been a practicing artist for over two decades, exhibiting nationally and internationally. His artwork ranges in mediums from acrylic on paper, canvas, clay, wood, silver and copper, scaling from large 2D works to small handcrafted adornment pieces.