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Page 95 Ringa Toi 2019

2019 95


Name	Shontae McLean
Iwi	Ngāti Porou ki Harataunga, Ngāti Pukenga ki Manaia
School	Te Wharekura o Manaia
Year	13
Title	Arawhetu
Media	Acrylic housepaint on plywood
Statement	This artwork represents my family. The Ara Poutama in the background represents my nephew, Arawhetu. he is a big part of my life and represents happiness and love in my eyes, hence the name of this piece. The shape in the middle which is painted a deep red/pink represents my parents. The shape comes from my father's greenstone taonga. This symbol reminds me of my parent's love for each other. The basketball shape represents myself. Basketball has had a great impact on my life and it is my favourite sport. The greens on the Ara Poutama represent my older brother. The two different shades of green symbolize the two things that I admire most about him which are his sport league and his job as a teacher. The orange and yellow represent my younger brother because of his fiery red hair and his bright personality. The red represents my deep love for my family and the black in the middle symbolizes Te Kore which is the beginning of all things/life. Te Ruru dedicates his piece to Tame (Tuakana) and Shontay (Teina).