Artists | Tipene Oneroa
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Tipene Oneroa

Mātanga Whakairo
  • Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa
Wānanga
Te Takapū o Rotowhio

Description   Tipene Oneroa, born and raised in Australia, returning home to Aotearoa upon successfully securing a place within our wananga, he is nearing the end of his whāinga aronui (3rd year extra studies) at Te Takapū o Rotowhio (NZMACI’s National Bone & Stone Carving School). Due to graduate at the end of September, Tipene has been working on a series of three pieces, based on a customary Te Tai Tokerau (Northern) style of papa kōiwi (burial chest).

Mahi

Having approached his series with the intent of creating vessels containing representations of life, death and the place in-between, the afterlife.  
“First in this series I used parāoa (whale bone) the piece is a rendition, of an already existing historical piece, representing Maui and his attempt to capture immortality, ultimately leading to his demise.The second piece I carved from pounamu (NZ jade) inspired by historical papa kōiwi, I wanted to expand my technical ability, to push the translucency within this piece to make it glow, representing life and rebirth.Currently I am carving my third and final piece of this series out of ōnewa (greywacke), a medium sized sculpture that captures the mystical elements of the unknown, the afterlife”.

 

Tipene Oneroa, born and raised in Australia, returning home to Aotearoa upon successfully securing a place within our wananga, he is nearing the end of his whāinga aronui (3rd year extra studies) at Te Takapū o Rotowhio (NZMACI’s National Bone & Stone Carving School).

Due to graduate at the end of September, Tipene has been working on a series of three pieces, based on a customary Te Tai Tokerau (Northern) style of papa kōiwi (burial chest).

Mahi

Having approached his series with the intent of creating vessels containing representations of life, death and the place in-between, the afterlife.

 

“First in this series I used parāoa (whale bone) the piece is a rendition, of an already existing historical piece, representing Maui and his attempt to capture immortality, ultimately leading to his demise.The second piece I carved from pounamu (NZ jade) inspired by historical papa kōiwi, I wanted to expand my technical ability, to push the translucency within this piece to make it glow, representing life and rebirth.Currently I am carving my third and final piece of this series out of ōnewa (greywacke), a medium sized sculpture that captures the mystical elements of the unknown, the afterlife”.

Their creations

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