TAWHAI RICKARD
GIZZY GOTHIC: THE MISADVENTURES
OF TE KURI AND PIPIWHARAUROA
3 JAN – 1 FEB 2020

Inspired by a vision in a dream, ‘Te Kuri and Pipiwharauroa’ are imaginative representations of DC characters ‘Batman and Robin’ circa. 1960’s. Te Kuri (Batman) is symbolic of Māori culture, language, customs and protocols. His counterpart Pipiwharauroa (Robin) is significant of the natural world, flora and fauna. This ‘Tu-meke Twosome’ are often pitched against historical adversaries relevant to the political, social and cultural climate/events within  Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tawhai Rickard was born in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, New Zealand in 1968, of Ngati Porou decent, a Māori tribe located in Te Tairawhiti (region), East Coast. He completed art studies at Waiariki Institute of Technology, Massey University Te Putahi a Toi, Palmerston North and Waikato University.

These recent works explore the historical and contemporary concepts of bi cultural New Zealand through the events of Captain James Cooks landing in Turanganui-a-Kiwa (Gisborne) almost 250 years ago. His medium is predominately paint and whakairo (carving) using reclaimed wood or wooden objects.

Recently, Tawhai was the supreme award winner 2018 Miles Art Awards at Tauranga Art Gallery, and was the inaugural winner of the 2016 Te Ha Art Awards in Gisborne, Tairawhiti. He currently lives and works in Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) New Zealand.

The ‘Gizzy Gothic’ exhibition runs from the 3rd of January until the 1st of February 2020. For more information including other available works, see: http://www.paulnache.com/tawhairickard

Works:

Whitiki Whaipainga o Te Kuri (Utility Belt of Te Kuri), 2019, Paint and varnish on reassembled found wooden objects with mannequin, 112 x 50 x 35cm

Queen Victoria’s Rolling Pin, 2019, Paint and varnish on reassembled found wooden objects, 45 x 26 x 17cm

Te Kuri vs Lord Earl Grey, 2019, Paint and varnish on reassembled found wooden objects, 16 x 20.5 x 20.5cm

Holy Tohunga Suppression Act 1907, 2019, Paint and varnish on reassembled found wooden objects, 13 x 25 x 6cm

Assorted small works on wood: Te Kuri; Pipiwharauroa; Bi-Cultural Face; The Riddler; A Gang of Barbarous Fanatics; The Queens Entourage, Get Some Guts; Pay Her No Attention Old Chum; 2019, Paint and varnish on native timber panels, 16 x 9 x 0.6cm each (unframed) 

Te Waka Rere Matakite o Napoto (Naboth’s Magic Kite), 2019, Acrylic paint on reclaimed native timber, metal and varnish, 40 x 80 x 80cm (moving parts)

The Death of Samson the Israelite, 2019, Acrylic paint on reclaimed native timber, metal and varnish, 94 x 42 x 15.5cm (freestanding)