In this exhibition, Hannah Kidd muses upon the nature of inheritance. What do we learn about ourselves from the objects left behind by others?
You will find in the 'Installation Views' tab, photo's of her works Ranganui and Papatūānuku, the earth mother and sky father. Pictured between them is Tāne Mahuta, the God of the forest and those placed beside them are his siblings. Each representing a God, all of whom are significant pillars in Māori mythology.
These sculptures are relics of the past, her past. Questioning, what we learn about ourselves from what is left behind? They talk of our uncomfortable colonial past and of Hannah’s own inheritance. Her ancestors are from Ngāti Toa iwi, and it is that inheritance she is exploring to find her own answers.
We can all see her craftsmanship in her process of welding each work, but it is a real pleasure to see her skills in painting. Pictured are her ‘Tani-vases’, a beautiful mix between dragon iconography in traditional Chinese mythology and the Taniwha in Māori mythology.
If you wish to read further about 'Inheritance', please click the links below.
