Orokohanga | Corban Estate Arts Centre

Biography:

Nikau Hindin (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) is a multi-disciplinary artist with a revivalist agenda to re-awaken/remember the process of making aute (Māori tapa cloth.) Hindin’s mission to re-learn this practice was influenced by the revitalisation of voyaging, navigation and her involvement with waka haurua. Hindin graduated from Elam with Honours, she also attended the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa where she learned the Hawaiian and Samoan traditions of barkcloth. Hindin finished her Masters in Creative Practice from Toihoukura last year.

“As the tides sigh a deep breath out, the aute unfolds parched and porous. Ready. Orokohanga explores the essence of the beginning. While Tāne discovered the elusive material capable of materialising his procreative longing (1) his skin would become the carrier of these deep red soils”

Orokohanga presents a new body of work exploring the essence of my materials and the genealogy of aute, as a plant that has laid roots throughout Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.

Kōkōwai is a tangible symbol for the menstrual soils of Papatūānuku who guided Tāne in the creation of Hineahuone, the first wahine, from whom we descend.

Te Kiri ō Tāne is a name given to aute meaning the skin of Tāne, which becomes the carrier of these deep red soils.

Orokohanga highlights how these two purakau have intertwined in my work from the beginning and remain as strong foundations while I explore a broader colour palette in this exhibition.

Oro is vibration, echo, rumbling and kohanga is nest, a place for nurturing and new growth. In the space of potential, Nothingness, within the genealogy of time, an essence is born.

This is the beginning, however the beginning and forever cycle together.

No rei rā
Ka whawhai tonu mātou
Āke, ake, ake

1. Ngahuia Murphy, Te Awa Atua United States: He Puna Manawa Ltd, 2013.