Proposal Abstract

The pieces of work presented indicate an exploration of pigments and materials from naturally occurring elements in the landscape of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The work is an extension of the pieces that acknowledge Māori’s knowledge of colour and form, and how this was used to create beautiful artefacts. The work in the open portfolio describes the investigation of colours with the use and meaning by ancient Māori, the identification of sources (plant and soils), and the processes of rendering raw materials for production, such as collecting, separating, grinding, mixing and drying. 

Three sample prints indicate muted colours prepared on postcard size (5” [152mm]  x  7” [178mm]). The work comprises substrates made from cotton fibers, and printing ink from (ingredient – kinaki ) pigments (kano) of carbon black (kororiko) made from native wood, coloured clays (yellow – kōwhai, orange – karaka, red – whero), natural oils (made from flax seed – harakeke), and resin (pine – paina).