09 Dec 2024
At Studio Pacific, the tradition of commissioning artwork has long been a way to reflect the season and connect with our community. This year, we are proud to share a meaningful evolution of this practice, aligned with the spirit of Matariki—a time for renewal, reflection, and remembrance.
This year, we are excited to mark a shift in our long-standing tradition of commissioning artwork. In past years, these commissions have served as seasonal reflections during Christmas and New Year, expressing the spirit of each passing year.
In 2024, we have shifted our focus towards Matariki as a guiding star and a time of renewal, remembrance, and reflection—a natural alignment with our intent for these commissions, inviting us all to pause and find meaning in this special time.
Earlier this year, we commissioned Kāpuia ngā kākaho, a stunning piece by Veronica Stone that reflects both the arrival and revival of Matariki in contemporary Aotearoa. As 2024 draws to a close, and in the spirit of reflection and remembrance, this work offers an invitation to explore, strengthen, and remind us of our shared ties to the past, our present connections, and the possibilities of the year to come.
Artist's Description of Kāpuia ngā kākaho
In her own words, Veronica Stone offers a rich and thoughtful description of the vision behind Kāpuia ngā kākaho:
Kāpuia ngā kākaho was commissioned in honour of Matariki, our celestial tohu, who marks the bounds of time, who heralds the year’s renewal. She, who is the time of reflection and the time to move forward.
This composition features the niho taniwha motif and celebrates and explores the revival and arrival of Matariki in the modern context. Traditionally, niho taniwha (taniwha teeth) is associated with strength, stability and unity. Each niho represents a smaller part of the whole and when repeated in pattern, it symbolises whakapapa, stories and histories passed down.
In Kāpuia ngā kākaho, the niho represent whānau traditions. Niho ascending from Papatūānuku represent the forgotten traditions emerging from obscurity whilst the niho descending from Ranginui represent modern practices. The central niho are yet to be formed and reflect the newness of this celebration in our public consciousness. In this space, whānau are invited to explore and imprint their own Matariki traditions.
In the centre of the piece a zigzag form can be seen representing a river flowing through the land to the ocean. It refers to the creation of waterways, fed by tributary streams and symbolises the way the new traditions we develop to imbue Matariki with renewed honour and meaning, can draw us together, binding and strengthening us into the future.
Tēnā, e te whānau whānui o Aotearoa - tāpirihia ā koutou mahi ā-whānau e whakanuia ana a Matariki i runga i ngā whakaaro mātua e whāia ana e ngā tīpuna o mua. Arā, kia hoki ngā whakaaro ki a rātou mā kua riri i te pō, kia whakanui i te wātū, ā, kia rikarika mō te tau hou. Nō reira, hoatu tā koutou kākaho ki te paihere kia whakapakarihia ai te kaupapa o Matariki. E ai ki te tongikura a Kīngi Tāwhiao:
"Ki te kotahi te kākaho ka whati ki te kāpuia e kore e whati”
"If there is but one reed it will break, but if it is bunched together it will not.”
Embracing New Traditions Together
We are honoured to present Kāpuia ngā kākaho by Veronica Stone with our wider community. Shared as part of Studio Pacific’s Matariki and end-of-year reflections, this piece encourages us to reflect on the past year’s challenges, triumphs, and lessons. Kāpuia ngā kākaho inspires us to unearth memories, honour the stories passed down within our whānau, and form new traditions that ground us together.
Just as Kīngi Tāwhiao’s whakataukī speaks to the power of unity, let us each add our kākaho to the collective bundle.
May the year ahead be one of unity, strengthened connections, and a commitment to the values that guide us.
Kāpuia ngā kākaho is on display in our Wellington studio alongside previous commissioned artworks as part of a rotating exhibition.
Veronica Stone holds her artwork 'Kāpuia ngā kākaho', commissioned by Studio Pacific.
'Kāpuia ngā kākaho’ was commissioned in honour of Matariki, our celestial tohu, who marks the bounds of time, who heralds the year’s renewal. She, who is the time of reflection and the time to move forward.