Caste is a collaborative exhibition that explores themes of whakapapa (genealogy) and mana wahine: a concept that embodies authority, power and influence of women in society. The exhibition explores the positioning of these concepts within the socio-political realities of today.
The artists share a common Wairarapa ancestor, Kaipaoe, who lived during
the colonial period and is the main source of inspiration for the
exhibition. Rongomaiaia is a descendant of the relationship of Kaipaoe
and whaler John Robert Brown, Terri is a descendant of Kaipaoe and
Tikawenga.
Rongomaiaia’s work is a series of paintings that speak to the early
relationships between Maori and Pakeha looking at the issue of
commodification, its links with the whaling industry of the time and
what that meant for women.
Rongomaiaia said "The inspiration for these paintings come from the
relationship of my ancestors Kaipaoe and John Robert Brown. John Robert
Brown was a whaler so with this work I am looking at the relationship of
Māori and the whaling industry during the colonial period through the
lens of my ancestors"
Terri’s figurative sculptures, made from lace and resin, are a comment on the creeping influence of concepts such as terrorism as a justification to expand the surveillance of the public sphere. At its heart the work is an expression of concern at the consequential erosion of human rights and the impact on women.
Terri said "The sculptures are a personal story, they are feminine in form, the material is lace which suggests privacy or in this context the invasion of privacy through a growing culture of surveillance".Kaipaoe, who lived during the colonial period and is the main source of inspiration for the exhibition. Rongomaiaia is a descendant of the relationship of Kaipaoe and whaler John Robert Brown, Terri is a descendant of Kaipaoe and Tikawenga.