| Artist Profile of Te Kaha |
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Artist Statement:
'Tena Koe, Ko Te Kaha toku ingoa.
My name is Te Kaha, I am of Tuhoe and Kahungungu decent. I have been working with the Pounamu for the last 14 years. As a result of this gift I have chosen to work only with New Zealand stone. Being given an understanding of Pounamu is an inherited as much as a learned ability, my name 'Te Kaha' comes from the people of stone (Ngati Kohatu).
The work I do with Pounamu involves translating a thought, a whakaaro, into a taonga. I work the pounamu as did my Tipuna, to hold the energy, the essence
of the concept within the design. Every piece of Pounamu I help evolve has both a physical and metaphysical function.
All these pieces come under the variety called kawa kawa (from the plant) from the Cascade River, except the hairpin which is Marsden variety in the Kumara Region of South Island.
The toki pendants are a traditional shape, Toki meaning adze. Very significant tool for tangata whenua (people of the land). The energy behind this shape is one of carving one's path.
The binding is also traditional and would have been used on the waka (canoes).
Kia ora.'
Please contact the gallery for further information on available work.
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Selected works of Te Kaha
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