Lisa Reihana reinterprets the cosmological and mythological figures of her Māori culture in the photographic and video works from Ihi. Ranginui, the Sky father, and Papatūanuku, the Earth mother, were locked in a tight embrace with their many children caught between their bodies. Tired of the lack of space and light, Tāne used his strong thighs to push Ranginui upward, while Papatūanuku remained below, becoming the source of all life on earth. The artist presents Tāne and Papatūanuku in this new primordial state, evoking their divine capacity to reformulate the world.
Born 1964, Auckland, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Lives and works in Auckland, New Zealand / Aotearoa
Tane, 2019
Color photograph, 122 cm x 122cm
Papatuanuku, 2019
Color photograph, 122 cm x 122cm
From the project Ihi
Courtesy of the artist and Artprojects, Auckland
