Making Te Whanau
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The piece represents a father, mother, and child. I wanted the three pices to be independent of each other yet connected. The father needed to be strong, edgy, and rugged, the fishook was perfect because of its design shape and meaning. The female played a pivotal role in the piece, connecting all 3 pieces together. Her shape was curvaceous and smooth, (a stylised koru in a circle of life)and as it turned the dominant feature of the piece. I couldn't make up my mind on the child design and the concept changed regularly. I eventually settled on a koropepe or childs guardian spirit part eel part bird. I intended to have the 3 pieces on different angles to maximise the use of the stone, and provide completely different views from each side, which in turn brought the child closer to the mother. Placing the child on a different level literally placed it on a pedestal elevating its importance to the family, and helped break up the boring one level appearance. Although I had a plan many of the details developed as time went by. This was my third piece and I learned a lot in the making. "We first met Brett while he was sculpting Te Whanau at the Stone Carving Symposium at Harcourt Park 2006. A piece that we were given the opportunity to see transform into a magnificent sculpture. We appreciated the time Brett spent talking to us from which we were able to gain the meaning of his work and highlighted Bretts passion for his culture and family." "We are very proud to display his unique pieces “Te Whanau” (the family) and “Mapihi Pounamu” (togetherness) that reflect our feelings of family life, nurturing, protecting, and growing with our children." Terry and Melinda Lynch |
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