He Tohunga Whakairo

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 7, 29 September 1977, Page 7

He Tohunga Whakairo

Buck Nin a Maori Artist had an exhibition of his work at the New Vision Gallery in Auckland recently. Maori Editor Vapi Kupenga interviewed him. Here is her report.

Born in 1942, Buck Nin was educated at Northland College, Auckland University, and Ham School of Fine Arts — Canterbury University. He painted full-time for two years, then went on to teach first at Mt Eden prison and then at the Bay of Islands College. He is at present teaching at The Church College in Hamilton, and later this year will be going to the University of Hawaii on a two year leave of absence to

study for a doctorate in Pacific Art History.

Buck and wife Carol have four children, Daymon 9, Errin 7, Pania 3 and Daniel I V2. His father is Chinese and his mother is from Levin — of the Ngati Raukawa tribe. Buck identifies very strongly with his Maori heritage. It comes through in his works of Art, which are essentially a social comment based on land issues. The canoe prow with kowhaiwhai patterns is symbolic of thrust, speed and power, with interlacing land in the background. Banner Land, The March, Rongopai Restoration, some of his masterpieces, are rich and alive with feeling. The Maori motifs which he very aptly applied in brilliant colours stand out from the western culture background. The steam rising from the land symbolises the hot issues related to the land, and the Banner with the Koru designs represent the injustices of the past and present. Alienated by European culture, city people are turning away from the bright lights to find their roots, their

turangawaewae, searching for their culture back on the papa kainga, where the spirit and character of the tipunas are very evident. Every line is a stroke of the Master’s brush, as if inspired by “Nga Wairua o nga Tipuna” (the spirit of the Ancestors). The kowhaiwhai patterns may be seen as decorative patterns, but they hold a wealth of expression that can only be understood in depth by those of the culture. One has to see this collection of Masterpieces to appreciate that Maori Traditional and Contemporary can be combined effectively. Buck believes you have to find your own values first, then broaden your view, and know your own culture, especially, living in this bicultural country of Aotearoa.

He devotes much of his time with marae restoration work and is presently involved with the Historic Trust Broad in Gisborne. Buck doesn’t see himself above his schoolfriends he grew up with. He spent some time during this interview visiting old friends and catching up on 14 years.