Tika Tonu (Toi Kahungunu)

Sheree Willman August 4, 2021

(August 2020)

Whilst I was painting for my solo show I was contacted by one of my favourite contemporary Māori artists… Dr Sandy Adsett, he heard about me through a friend of mine that was an old student of his at Toimairangi School of Māori Art and found me on Facebook. He was curating a toi kahungunu exhibition that was going to be held at the Hastings City Art Gallery in Hawkes Bay in August, knowing that I was Ngāti Kahungunu, he asked if I’d want to be in the show, considering I was busy painting for my solo exhibition and he wanted a few paintings, I felt a little anxious about it at first as my solo was a month after Tika Tonu show and felt pushed… but I had to say yes lol.
Honestly I was star struck when I first met him, he’s such a humble guy, he didn’t want to hear that I loved his work haha, such a humble man. I’ve always said if I could choose a teacher/mentor to teach me to paint in the past, it was always him. Sandy requested my round koru paintings for the exhibition, I later found out that he thought that my round paintings were uniquely me... I can see why he thinks that now. Being involved in this Toi Kahungunu show was an amazing experience… thanks Sandy.

My journey painting towards "Raranga"

Sheree Willman August 4, 2021

(This was drafted the first part back in December 2020.… it’s taken me 8 months to finally post it eeek)

I can’t believe this is my first time posting this year and it’s the last month of the year, so I thought I’d better document some important milestones I’ve accomplished this year… first up is my first solo exhibition “Raranga” that was exhibited at Pātaka Art + Museum in Porirua, 18 September - 27 October 2020.

For my Raranga (weaving) exhibition, I wanted to paint from patterns from tāniko, tukutuku and kete whakairo. Part of my proposal that I submitted to Pātaka for my exhibition was that I go to Te Papa and research the kākahu (Māori cloaks) collection in there storeroom and paint from the tāniko patterns from the kākahu. When I visited the first time and after our karakia (prayer) and stepping into the storeroom with all the beautiful taonga, it felt incredible. There were so many to choose from and it was hard deciding what tāniko patterns to paint for my show. Before preparing for my solo, I knew I needed to paint my tāniko paintings first as they are the most difficult to grid and paint, lets just say there’s a lot of math (ethnomathmatics) involved in gridding for it to work, for example I have to count all the nihoniho (little triangles) and have to have the exact amount for it to work, the tāniko pictured below took me over 9 hours just to grid and up to two/three weeks to paint, depending on how intricate the design. After painting my third tāniko painting I had to take a break as my hands were so sore, I literally couldn’t paint and had to give my hands a rest for a week until I could pick up a paint brush agian. I have had a few friend artists would tell me that I must have a lot of patience for what I do… haha you do need to be patient with the way I paint and I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to painting to, but it’s so satisfying to see something I’ve visualised and to see it finished and be happy with the end result… I love what I do.

I painted 5 taniko patterns for my show…

After painting taniko, I then went onto painting from the tukutuku panels from the Waitangi wharenui. I was planning on going up to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Piahia, Bay of Islands, but covid hit and we went into lockdown, I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t visit, but I made do with images that I could find of the tukutuku panels from the wharenui. I painted six in total.

After finishing my tukutuku paintings, I then started my koru and tāniko tondos.

I had 19 paintings in total and I was pleased with how my first solo show went, I sold over half my mahi, and now only have two left from my show, available from The Poi Room. It’s always been a dream of mine to have a solo show, I’m not sure I’d be in a hurry to do another one anytime soon haha, but I’d definitely do it again.

A Māori Phrase a Day...

Sheree Willman October 23, 2019

This is my second book cover, A Māori Phrase a Day by Hemi Kelly. When Jeffery from Penguin Books asked for this painting to be the next book cover he was unsure if my friend that I gifted Kete Aronui to would approve using her painting for the cover, I knew we wouldn’t have a problem getting her approval and of course we didn’t, just say she now thinks her painting is extra special now hahaa.

A Māori Phrase a Day will be published January 2020, you can now pre order.

Huakina KeteTāniko

Sheree Willman September 16, 2019

I was asked to participate in another art charity action that is being held at Expressions Whirinaki in Upper Hutt, the exhibition is from the 21st Sep - 1 Dec. It’s an exhibition featuring work by prisoners studying creativity/art through the Learning Connexion along side some well known guest artists such as John Walsh, Darcy Nicholas, Nigel Brown and many more. The works for the show are responses to a box each artist and student artists has been given to work with in whatever medium they choose - painting, drawing, collage, carving etc. All work will be available to purchase on Trade Me auction over the duration of the show with 100% proceeds to the Victim Support Organisation, I couldn’t say no.

When I received my box, I felt a little perplexed on what to paint at first as it’s not my usual object to paint on. I eventually came up with a plan, the title of the exhibition is HUAKINA to open, so of course it had to be a kete design. I found the perfect kete to paint and I thought it was a great idea to make muka (fibre from flax) to attach to the bottom to create the overall look of the kete I’ve chosen. I thought griding and painting the box was going to be hard… it was nothing compared to me trying to extract muka from flax! I thought I’d watch a YouTube tutorial on how to do it as I thought It would be easy as, but boy I was wrong lol. After a few failed attempts, I asked my wonderful neighbor Roimata to show me as I knew she was experienced with harakeke, not only did she show me she also gave me some great tips on what type of flax I should use. Let’s just say I didn’t realise how much flax I had to use to create such a small amount of muka! But I must admit I do like the look of muka with my painting... I think this won’t be the last time I’ll be using it.

After many hours of painting and making muka, this is the end result… and I must say I’m pleased with KeteTāniko.

My first time seeing KeteTāniko, I must say I felt proud seeing her on show…

Tāniko + Koru

Sheree Willman June 28, 2019

my first time painting on a round board and I must admit I wasn’t sure what I’d paint as I was used to painting either on square and rectangle shaped boards. Took me a while to come up with a solution… but I thought of my KowhaiwhaiTāniko painting pictured below and a eureka moment, took a pic of the painting with the round board behind and that’s when TāniKōuraKoru was created… I feel it exceeded my expectations and I’m really pleased with it. I have to say that gridding up on round board takes a lot of time (hours) to do, as I’m very much a perfectionist when I paint, it has to be perfect.

TāniKōuraKoruAcrylic on wooden board900mm round(SOLD) — TāniKōuraKoru
Acrylic on wooden board
900mm round
(SOLD)

As you can see paint with gold paint a lot, I love how the ever changing light in the day bounces off the gold and how the light reflects off the gold in the different angles as you can see, love…

KeteKoru, 600mm round, available at Kura Gallery, Auckland.

This was my eureka moment with KowhaiwhaiTāniko

This was my biggest size I’ve painted on so far and I must admit I now want to paint bigger : D

Tāniko Intwined

Sheree Willman June 5, 2019

I’ve always have had a love with the old cloaks our ancestors once wore. The workmanship and the detail of the tāniko is so beautiful and the designs are so compelling to me. There was a great variety of garments, including many kinds of cloaks. Clothing, adornments and even hairstyles showed a lot about a person’s status, and fine clothes (cloaks) could enhance mana. I love the fact that the cloaks were worn with pride.

These are some tāniko patterns that spoke to me, not only by there beauty but also fascinated by the person that last wore it. My first tāniko painting has a unique history belonged to a woman of high status who had considerable mana, Ruhia Pōrutu. Her cloak she wore was a kaitaka paepaeroa (fine flax cloak with vertical weft rows and tāniko borders). I loved the simple design of the tāniko pattern and particularly the story behind the cloak. I wanted to create something that was precise to that actual pattern and colour of the tāniko design, I’m pleased with how it looked and inspired me to paint more tāniko boarder patterns from the cloaks of our ancestors.

I’ve painted 3 so far and will continue to paint more. I’m looking at doing limited edition prints of these taniko paintings… I have orders already.

Ruhia Pōrutu - Ngāti Hāmua and Te Āti Awa

Ruhia Pōrutu was the daughter-in-law of Te Rīrā Pōrutu, paramount chief of Te Āti Awa in what is now central Wellington. She is seen here wearing her kaitaka paepaeroa, but the artist (Gottfried Lindauer) has placed it upside down so that the elaborate tāniko border is visible. In 1840 Te Riria's people were building a house for a New Zealand Company lawyer, and it was tapu while under construction. A newly arrived teenage immigrant named Thomas McKenzie unwittingly entered the house, breaking tapu. The chief was about to strike him down with his mere (club) when Ruhia threw her cloak over the young man, saving his life.

I fell in love with this cloak below, when I first saw it. After doing a little research I found out that Te Hapuku was Ngāti Kahungunu iwi... my iwi. When I realised we were connected, I had to paint it.

A little insight of Te Hapuku, who sometimes called himself Te-Ika-Nui-O-Te-Moana, was born in the late eighteenth century before the coming of the European to our region of Heretaunga. He was a chief of our Ngai Te Whatuiapiti tribe and his main hapu (sub tribes) were Ngati Te Manawakawa and Ngati Rangikoianake. He had kinship links within Ngati Kahungunu, Rangitane, Ngati Ira and other tribes throughout the Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa regions, and was therefore very influential. His father was Kurimate, also known as Te Rangikoianake II, and his mother was Tatari of the Ngati Tapuhara and Ngati Hinepare sub tribes of Ngati Kahungunu.

In 1839 Te Hapuku visited the Bay of Islands in the Far North and on 25 September he signed the 1835 Declaration of Independence of New Zealand. In June 1840 therefore Major Bunbury called at Hawke's Bay to obtain his signature on the Treaty of Waitangi which had been signed at Waitangi on 6 February 1840. Te Hapuku and his two kinsmen, Hoani Waikato and Harawira Mahikai, signed the Treaty on or about 24 June 1840.

With the coming of the Pakeha (European) government to our region in 1851 Te Hapuku established contact with many government officials and was instrumental in selling lands to the government. He was acquainted with both Donald McLean, the chief land purchase agent, and with the Governor, Sir George Grey. He used the proceeds of his land sales to establish farming, milling, shipping and other businesses to support his large tribe.

He was also the prime instigator of a gift of lands by our tribe, Ngai Te Whatuiapiti, to the Anglican Church for the establishment of a school to educate Maori pupils. Te Aute College was established by the Church in 1854.

This tāniko pattern is from a Kaitaka huaki (cloak with double tāniko boarders) I’ve painted the top tāniko pattern of this cloak and I’ll will possibly paint the bottom tāniko pattern another day. Tureiti Te Heuheu Tukino was a notable New Zealand tribal leader and politician.

Waitangi Day Dream

Sheree Willman February 6, 2019

Celebrating Waitangi Day today makes me think of a dream I’ve dreamt for a very long time… to have a solo exhibition.

Last month I sold all four of my Waitangi paintings to a whanau living in Taupo. I’m so pleased they are going to staying together. The paintings that sold pictured below - Pātiki Matariki | Waitangi, Porourangi | Waitangi, Patiki | Waitangi and Pou Tangata | Waitangi… I think it’s a sign to paint them all.

I’ve painted 5 tukutuku panels in total, and as I’ve said in previously in my blog that I want to paint all the tukutuku panels in the Waitangi Wahrenui. I think this would be great platform for my first solo exhibition, hoping to to coincide with Waitangi Day next year, I feel would be a perfect time to exhibit.

I want to go to Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Paihia and research the tukutuku up close. I’ll paint all 18 Waitangi tukutuku panels bigger and in different colours. I’m going to try and make it happen

NZTaniko tile Space tees

Sheree Willman February 5, 2019

Tile Space contacted me late last year wanting to purchase my NZTāniko painting, as you could imagine I was pleased, but’s then they come back to me asking that they to print NZTāniko on the backs of there Tiler Art Tee Shirts and offered to pay extra for the rights to do so… of course I agreed!

Such a buzz to be given this great opportunity, as Tile Trends have businesses nation wide and is great exposure for me : D

Nz + Kowhaiwhai + Taniko =

Sheree Willman December 19, 2018

NZKowhaiTainko…. I admire Gordon Walter, but I don’t want to replicate his work. If I was to introduce the kowhaiwhai pattern, Gordon’s simple koru pattern is the only pattern that works well with my geometric designs.

With my first NZTaniko painting, I liked the simplicity of it. After painting NZTaniko I then painted KowhaiwhaiTaniko… later thought that the koru pattern would work well with my NZTaniko design, it did and I was really pleased with the end result : )

NZTaniko... the secound

Sheree Willman October 16, 2018

Thought I’d have a play with my NZTāniko design this week and finished this painting yesterday. Posted it on my instagram page and within the hour a follower/family friend that’s living in the US bought it! Made my day : ) So I thought to not post this on my home page as it’s already sold. I’m looking at doing more of NZTāniko paintings in different colours and sizes… this design has really grown on me.

I’m calling this particular size nzTaniko…

NZTaniko

Sheree Willman September 30, 2018

This is a design I call NZTāniko... this is very different to what I usually do and how I usually paint. Inspired from a tāniko weave pattern and the 1974 NZ Commonwealth Games logo, I’ve always loved the retro design. I’ve collaborated the two designs together and I’m really pleased with the result. I was influenced by artist Gordon Walters colours he’s used shown in the New Vision book in the pic below… one of my favourite books.

Art Auction for our Little Sprouts

Sheree Willman August 31, 2018

I feel honoured to be asked to take part in this great charity art event for Little Sprouts Charity, held at one of my favourite galleries... Pataka Art+Museum. Such a great charity, helping mothers in need with there newborn babies. I’m a believer in giving back to the community, as I’ve previously volunteered as a fashion stylist for Dress For Success for over 2 years… loved empowering woman and then later on men, preparing them for the workforce and hearing about their successes, was rewarding.

Also… out of the 80 artists that have donated, I’ve been selected to be one of the 15 special works selected to be auctioned off at the live event on the evening… so cool. Looking forward to being there and meeting the other artists.

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The Little Sprouts Charity Art Event is being held at Pātaka Art + Museum from 12 to 28 October 2018.

For this event over 80 amazing artists from across the Wellington region are coming together to change babies' lives! They have created special artworks and donated them to Little Sprouts - this includes paintings, drawings, mixed media works, photography, ceramic art, textile art and more.

This incredible event features both an exhibition/sale and an auction evening.

Exhibition & Sale

From 12 to 28 October 2018 all art works will be on display at the Bottle Creek Gallery at Pātaka Art + Museum.

The Exhibition is open daily and entry is FREE.

Many of the artworks are for sale during the Exhibition. Bids can also be placed in advance on artworks that have been reserved for sale at the Grand Auction Evening.

Grand Auction Evening

From 6.30 pm until 9.30 pm on Saturday 27th October a Grand Auction Evening will be held in The Spine at Pataka.

Roimata Toroa

Sheree Willman August 26, 2018

This is a painting I painted a nearly a year ago and it's finally time that I deleted from my home page, but I didn't want it to vanish forever, so I decided to put Roimata Toroa on my blog. I have this in my art studio on my tabl, I keep this close to me as it means a lot to me to have my Mother and Sister close, miss them much...

Roimata Toroa | Taku (My) Tears - This is inspired from a tukutuku Design, Roimata Toroa (albatross tears) has alternate parallel rows in vertical blocks, while in a similar Whanganui design was shown as tuturu (leaking water) or turuturu (falling raindrops).
In the Ngāti Porou story of how the kumara came to New Zealand, the ancestor Pourangahua left his wife on the East Coast when he returned to Hawaiki to obtain the tubers. There, his tohunga Ruakapanga not only gave him baskets containing the kumara tubers but also two sacred birds, to help him return. He instructed Pourangahua that he must give prayers of thanksgiving on his safe arrival back in New Zealand, as well as prayers for the safe return of the sacred birds back to Hawaiki, and for a bountiful kumara harvest. However, in his joy at being reunited with his beautiful wife, Pouranahua forgot his instructions. Later, he found the albatross birds weeping, their tears falling onto their breasts. One had been crying so long that its tears were just dripping, short tears. The other cried long tears - roimata toroa. Accordingly, for Ngāti Porou, the Roimata Turutururoimata turuturu design shows long and short tears. ➕ My tears are from the loss of my Mother and Sister recently, as they will never return.

(Tukutuku patterns vary considerably from iwi to iwi throughout the land. Certain designs are associated with particular iwi, some may have different names in different regions, or the names may be spelled in various ways. Many forms are related to mythologies, the stories about them vary from iwi to iwi)

Kete Aronui as a gift...

Sheree Willman August 26, 2018

This is a birthday present I painted for a special friends birthday. I always feel nervous when giving a painting as a gift... glad she loves it.

AHO TAPU O MATARIKI - exhibition

Sheree Willman June 30, 2018

Aho Tapu / Sacred Thread showcases a wide range of weaving by both emerging and established artists. We have challenged these weavers to showcase their artistic objectives as we look towards the Māori New Year, Matariki, and to show us the directions in which the art of weaving is headed. The Sacred Thread is fluid and encases both the traditional and the contemporary.

This group exhibition includes works from Annabelle Buick, Cori Buster-Marsters, Anna Gedson, Katarina Hetet, Robin Hill, Jude Te Punga Nelson, Jess Paraone, Pru Robbie, Bernadette Ross, Sarni Scott, Laine Toia (Bespoke Weaving), Kui Topia, Riwa Wawatai (Art by Riwa), Justina Webster (Kohatu Creationz) and Sheree Willman.

My second group exhibition, celebrating Matariki at Kura Gallery here in Wellington. I feel privileged to be included in this exhibition with these talented artists.

Curated by Hannah Amundsen

Footage of the opening night at Kura Gallery. Video created by Mathew Mason. (Turn sound up)

PATIKI MATARIKI | WAITANGI - This is my mahi that is on display at this exhibition.

I’ve called this Pātiki Matariki, as I’ve incorporated 7 stars in this painting. Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades. When it rises in the north-eastern skies in late May or early June, it signals to Māori that the New Year will begin. In one tradition, Matariki is the whaea (mother) surrounded by her six daughters, Tupu-a-nuku, Tupu-a-rangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipuna-a-rangi and Ururangi... I’ve put Matariki in the middle of this painting, surrounded by her daughters.

This particular Patiki tukutuku pattern displays a group of star near the Milky Way known as the “Coal Sack” This pattern portrays fine weather and good relationships. Pātiki (flounder) designs are based on the lozenge or diamond shape of the flounder fish. They can be quite varied in the basic shape. According to Ngāti Porou tradition, the pātikitiki significance relates to being able to provide 100% - not only for the husband, or the whānau, but for the whole iwi. It acknowledges the fact that women were always looking for ways to supplement their food supplies, even in the dark when the flounders came, while their men were sound asleep.

Inspiration from the Pātiki tukutuku pattern from the Wharenui at Waitaingi, I feel these tukutuku panel designs are special, as they don't only represent only one iwi (tribes) they represent all iwi in New Zealand.

Patiki Matariki | Porourangi Poutama | Patikitiki | Pou Tangata

Sheree Willman May 29, 2018

As I've mentioned in my previous blog, I wanted to focus on the patterns of the tukutuku panels of Waitangi wharenui . I've completed 6 paintings for the NZ Art Show, including these paintings Patiki, Porourangi Poutama, Patiki Matariki and Pou Tangata. Overall I have painted in total 5 tukutuku panel designs... I have 13 tukutuku patterns to go to complete the whole Waitangi collection... not sure if I'll do them all at once, but I'm sure I will paint them all in due time.

I want to dedicate my work to the women that made these beautiful tukutuku panels, I feel that they didn't get any recognition for there work. I've tried to find out who made the tukutuku panels for this wharenui, all I found was where the women made the panels, in Kaikohe not far from Waitangi. These unknown women that made these panels, I feel... were a part of keeping our culture alive, for generations these women were handed down the knowledge of making the tukutuku panels and the meaningful mythology/stories behind them from their iwi. Not only the women that made the panels at Waitangi... to all the women that have created tukutukus for there wharenui's, they all should be celebrated.

NZ Art Show

Sheree Willman April 28, 2018

This is my first time exhibiting with NZ Art Show, 1-4 June 2018. Looking forward to getting myself out there for people to see my work... nervous too. I'm going to focus on painting the tukutuku panels from the wharenui at Waitangi, I feel these tukutuku panel designs are special, as they don't only represent only one iwi (tribes) they represent all iwi in New Zealand.

- Te Whare Rūnanga (the House of Assembly) is a carved meeting house in traditional form but is a unique expression of its purpose. It stands facing the Treaty House, the two buildings together symbolising the partnership agreed between Māori and the British Crown, on which today’s Aotearoa New Zealand is founded.

The concept was proposed by Māori Member of Parliament for the north, Tau Henare, and Sir Apirana Ngata, then Minister of Maori Affairs, as a Māori contribution to the centenary celebrations. Carving began at Tau Henare’s home community of Motatau in 1934, and the house was opened on 6 February 1940 – 100 years after the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Meeting houses are symbols of tribal prestige and many embody a tribal ancestor. The head at the roof apex is the ancestor’s head, the ridgepole the backbone, the bargeboards the arms with the lower ends divided to represent fingers. Inside the rafters represent ribs, and the interior is the ancestor’s chest and belly.

Te Whare Rūnanga follows this form, but is not identified with any tribal ancestor. Rather, it represents the unity of Māori throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. This is emphasised by the main carving styles of iwi across the land being brought together – creating a remarkable gallery of Māori art, as well as a spectacular example of a central part of Māori social and cultural life.

This is my recent painting of the Patiki (flounder) tukutuku design, seen in the above pic, on the far left side of Te Whare Runanga.

Some tukutuku designs I'll be painting for the upcoming NZ Art Show

Taniwha story...

Sheree Willman February 24, 2018

Niho Taniwha - Waitangi, my recent painting was inspired from a tukutuku panel from inside the wharenui at the Waitangi treaty grounds. I’ve visited this wharenui years ago and I must admit, it was the most beautiful wharenui I’ve ever seen. With celebrating Waitangi Day recently, made me remember the beauty of this wharenui.

I made the decision to paint to a similar colour of the original tukutuku panel, which I rarely do... I'm pleased with how it turned out : )

Niho Taniwha - Waitangi is available to purchase at Kura Gallery, AucklandAcrylic on wooden board900x300mm — Niho Taniwha - Waitangi is available to purchase at Kura Gallery, Auckland
Acrylic on wooden board
900x300mm

whanau

Sheree Willman February 9, 2018

This is a present for one of my daughters best friends, Millie's 21st birthady... a year ago! Millie moved to Auckland and Natalya told me to wait till Millie comes home for the holidays and give it to her then... Millie came back a few times, but we forgot to give the painting to her every time she came home. Then late last year we were to see Millie together, so I thought it was a perfect time to give her painting to her, but I forgot to varnish the painting and the pink paint faded! So, I then told Millie she has to wait... again. Nice to finally get it done and we are sending it to her after I varnish it, next week. Hope she likes it.

Whanau Ribsacrylic on ply board350x350mm — Whanau Ribs
acrylic on ply board
350x350mm

Kick starting my te reo

Sheree Willman January 29, 2018

Thrilled to finally receive my books! Really pleased with how the cover looks and of course, nice to see my short bio on the back of the book! As the book says... A Maori Word a Day offers a fun and easy way to start te reo... looks like I will be learning te reo this year! Looking forward to the next design of the of next book that will be published.