These works are my interpretation of pūrākau, where Haumia-tiketike along with their sibling Rongomareroa (also known as Rongomatane), fled to Papatūānuku, taking refuge with their mother to escape the anger of their older sibling Tāwhiri-mātea. Both covered themselves with her soil, and remained hidden from their enraged tuakana.
As a mother, I know all too well about the constant sibling wars we must not take sides on, but, that we are always the place of refuge for. So, I made these works through a mamas lens. I also imagined what blurry outlines you may see if completely covered in soil. This blurriness also references the space known as Rongomaraearoa, where our atua are said to gather to discuss issues in peace.
These images are shot in camera, not digitally created . While I was shooting this series next to my local river, a man approached me and launched into a racist rant against Māori which led to me making a police report and now feeling unsafe in my own community. This depiction, of being covered and hidden in the safe embrace of a mothers arms, is something I now feel not only as a mother, but, am also reminded I sometimes need myself when dealing with being indigenous growing up in a racist country.
TOI BY TESSA 