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Waharua contact point

Black & white edition of 5
Colour fills edition of 6

Waharua is a taaniko design that is described as two diamonds one above the other. In translation it literally means two mouths, but also speaks of two perspectives which is relevant to the work in that our conflicts in history are influenced by opposing perspectives. The point where the two diamonds meet can be identified as the crossover when the two opposing sides come into contact. 

Our history has seen many crossover or contact points but none so destructive as the wars that would take place throughout the land, and the subsequent institutions and laws that would strip Maori of their cultural identity and sovereignty.  "Post Colonialism" as a term is a silencing tool to fool you into thinking colonialism is over and in the past.  This design reminds us that we are still there at contact point. 

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