Tangaroa takes her art to a new level

By Charles Pitt

At the preview of her solo exhibition, “In Due Course,” held at the Beachcomber Gallery on Monday evening, artist Mahiriki Tangaroa could hardly stand up. She was suffering from dengue fever.
The Times spoke to her at her Arorangi home on Tuesday and again on Wednesday morning at the Beachcomber about her show.
Tangaroa was very pleased with the turn out to the preview and with the show itself although she admitted to the days leading up to it being quite stressful.
Eight works are on show and several are large. For the first time the artist has taken on the challenges associated with painting on large canvases.
FUMES
The most immediate challenge is health impacting in that the artist uses a small brush to cover such a large area, requiring her to stand very close to the work in progress. Being oil paint, the fumes take their toll.
In the statement on her works, Tangaroa says; “… the paintings are a part of an ongoing dialogue that explores changing social values in our local island society. Challenged by the pressures of globalization, social development and evolution, the works serve as a record as we transcend from a traditional to a modern era.
Central to the paintings are the portraits of our traditional Cook Islands Gods-Tangaroa, Rongo and the Aitutaki Goddess. Destroyed during the advent of Christianisation, these totems have been appropriated to represent a past (and perhaps present) human spirit that has not only governed but also protected the well being of a people and place.
In a wake of change what is the place value of our history and traditions given that this is the very foundation of a present and future. What becomes of the term “cultural identity” as it is redefined due to incoming influence. Finally given our geographical status, does globalization put us on a pathway of progression or regression?”
In the photo, Tangaroa stands in front of one of her two largest works, “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” At 188cm x 234cm, this oil on un-stretched canvas, is an imposing presence. Tangaroa began it with a sketch and over a period of two and a half weeks, it took shape. Being oil on canvas, it will be 12 months before the first of several protective coats of varnish is applied.
FEATURE
These latest of Tangaroa’s works contain more colour, depth, movement and seem more intense than her earlier work. Tangaroa has taken her artwork to a new level. One unifying feature is her use of a very expensive type of red. No sloppy brushwork here. The works are highly composed and finished.
She combines traditional and modern elements with localized and global views. Spot the modern Bible, the view of Earth from space. It is an Earth that has been split up and placed around the painting.
This exhibition reveals why Tangaroa is our leading female artist. In New Zealand her works are commanding a respectable price. The great tragedy is that our National Museum has not fronted up with its cheque book.
Eruera Nia’s work is already beyond the capacity of our National Museum to afford and regretfully works by other leading locally based artists like Tim Buchanan, Ian and Kay George and Mike Tavioni will soon also slip away.
The exhibition runs until 18 May.

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