Kaupapa / The idea
Having moved back to Taranaki in 2021 after more than a decade I felt a need to re-connect with the whenua, to get a feel for the community and to try and make sense of the place I've chosen as home and find how I fit within it.
This project has been an opportunity to explore the Taranaki region. Engaging with various kaumatua, historians and artists I gathered a body of knowledge and stories. From these narratives I've selected elements and stories that speak to me personally and that I feel reflect the nature of the different towns. This character has been developed into a series of cabinets, designed to convey some of the essence of each area, hopefully some of the vitality that makes each place unique. I’ve commissioned artists to create unique works for some of the cabinets and explored sourcing local material and artifacts to build into the cabinets.
Contributing Artists
Tim Wigmore: Primary Ark-Hives artist
I live in Omata, New Plymouth - a semi-rural area at the base of Mt Taranaki, New Zealand.
My furniture has won acclaim for blurring the boundaries between design, art, and craft.
I strive to create deep connections between people and their objects, to design timeless quality items that people will enjoy conceptually, physically, and emotionally.
My work has been exhibited internationally and throughout New Zealand, with designs held in both public and private collections.
Alongside my studio furniture practice, I also design furniture and props for film and TV.
Many thanks to the following people who contributed to the project:
Ron Lambert, celebrated local historian in New Plymouth is a font of knowledge, generous with his time and connections. His book Taranaki - An Illustrated History was a solid starting point and reference for the project, and my meetings with him were always informative and rewarding.
Kim Paton (director of ObjectSpace) formally critiqued the Ark-Hives concepts, providing considered feedback and guidance on several aspects of the project.
Luana Paamu is the museums team leader at Aotea Utanganui – South Taranaki Museum: Pātea. Not only is she stepped in the history and culture of south Taranaki, she also has first hand museum experience so was able to critique the narratives as well as the design and construction of the works.
Mike Gooch is the Information Services Officer at the Puke Ariki Research Center. I worked at the research center over a roughly 8 week period and Mike was super helpful with specific requests for information and a great sounding board for some of the historical narratives.
Michaela Stoneman is South Taranaki's Arts advisor. Michaela put me in touch with several artists and reviewed the Ark-Hives designs on a couple of occasions, providing valuable feedback and encouragement.
Trudy Taepa, curator Māori at Puke Ariki, met with me to view and discuss various related objects from their collection.
Missie Moffat, exhibition coordinator at Puke Ariki consulted with me on the project at the outset helping to provide some structure and support.
Eileen Kolai-Tuala is Community Development advisor for Pātea & Wairoa-Iti. She made efforts to connect me with specific iwi in relation to the project.
Fran Levings is Community Development advisor for south Taranaki, connected me with Maata and advised on material collection from various South Taranaki sites.
Bonita Bingham is a south Taranaki artist and co-founder of the Toi Māori gallery in Manaia, Bonita met with me to discuss the outlines of the project and provided artist contacts.
Luther Ashford is a South Taranaki artist (Nga Rauru). She was part of a hui at Wairoa-Iti marae to discuss the development of a narrative for this area and contributed her thoughts and artist connections to the project.
Karaitiana Akroyd
'Pai Are' and 'Pai Tawa' model Huatoki River Stones with carver Karaitiana Akroyd.
Paul Burgham
Ngaere swamp window and Hawera shop window with glass artist Paul Burgham
Jack Vogelesang
Model St. Mary's church stone with carver Jack Vogelesang
Jo Stallard
Stratford mini Mural with painter Jo Stallard (image to come)
Maata Wharehoka
Model net, rope and wenua bowl with artists Maata and Ngahina Wherehoka. (image to come)
Che Rogers
Mini Ngaere Painting by Che Rogers (image to come)
I had the privellege of meeting with representatives from various iwi from around the region.
Nga Kaumatua:
John Hooker – Nga Ruahine Iwi
Maata Wharehoka – Taranaki Iwi
Nan Pirikahu-Smith – Nga Rauru
The Dean of St. Mary's church Jay Ruka – Te-Atiawa