Original Artwork
A growing series of paintings of places of influence for the life of artist G.Parker.
TŌKU PEPEHA
Ko Rangitoto tōku Maunga,
Ko Waitemata tōku Moana
Nō Tāmakimakaurau ahau
Ko Parker tōku Iwi
Ko Tangata Tiriti ahau
Ko Graedon tōku ingoa
Rangitoto is my Mountain
Waitemata is my body of water
I call Auckland home
Parker is my clan
I am a Treaty Partner
My name is Graedon
Ngā Kaitiaki o te Rangi
(Gardeners of the skies) was a comission for the Macleans College Staffroom (my old school) depicting the peninsula area local to the school known to Manawhenua (Ngai Tai) as as Te Waiarohia. The background is symbolic of my Pepeha (see above), depicting Rangitoto Island nestled in the Waitemata harbour. 2 Kererū snack on Karaka berries in an untouched landscape - the only native bird large enough to carry seeds from our large native trees. There are 6 different native plants/trees present in this image, reflecting knowledge of Te Waonui o Tāne (The World of Tāne) acquired through studying Rongoā Māori (Traditional Māori Medicine) through www.titokieducation.co.nz with Pa Ropata & Donna Kerridge.
1/100 Prints available.
Ngā Kaitiaki o te Rangi, 2019 - Acrylic on Board. Original 2000 x 2000mm
Te Piha, 2021, Acrylic on board. Original 490 x 770mm
TE PIHA 2021
Te Piha is the original name for Lion Rock as referred to by Manawhenua (Te Kawerau ā Maki). Te Piha is now the name of the beach on which I spent my childhood buried in the black sands, riding waves, climbing rocks, and traversing through the bush. As in the opposite painting, the Karaka berries symbolise the height of summer, treasured memories of sweaty family hikes to the point of this unique viewpoint up behind Garden Road. The original hangs in the hearth of our family batch in Piha.
1/100 Prints available.
