About us

Wheke moves through life


Name	Olive Dean
Iwi	Ngā Puhi
School	Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Year	12
Title	Wheke moves through life
Media	Acrylic paint
Statement	My artworks follow a thematic idea and visual investigation of underwater sea creatures from Tangaroa. In Māori culture, the sea is often considered to be the source and foundation of all life. Tangaroa, god of the sea, can also be destructive and beautiful at the same time. I have juxtaposed a variety of visual imagery (the wheke) with the strong optical black and white lines while still maintaining compositional elements throughout my works. I love the textures and patterns from the ocean so I have used bold and stylized flat patterns, textures and optical illusions sourced from shells and the water itself. I developed these symmetry lines as compositional ideas to integrate the black lines inspired by NZ artist Julia Morison, the traditional koru motifs and kōwhaiwhai patterns of the Wharenui.