November 06, 2014
Hinemoana OnShore highlight
A four metre macrocarpa sculpture of the sea goddess Hinemoana is one of the highlights of NZ Sculpture OnShore, which opened last night on the Fort Takapuna Reserve at Narrow Neck.
It’s the creation of Bay of Plenty artist Joe Kemp, who also has three smaller works in the show, which includes 100 outdoor and a similar number of indoor works.
The self-taught sculptor says it’s great to be chosen for the biennial event
He says taha Maori is an important part of his work.
"My first few years of sculpting I didn’t know if I had to be taught to put motifs on work but after about four years a gallery owner reminded me I was a Maori, because I was doing a lot of Indian and Egyptian forms and hesitating to put motifs on, but all my work is represented with Maori motifs now and the stories to back up the history in our culture," Kemp says.
NZ Sculpture OnShore runs until November 16, with proceeds going to Women's Refuge New Zealand.
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