Cook Islands artist Mahiriki Tangaroa presents a site specific series of new paintings for Personal Structures entitled Kaveinga – Angels of the Ocean.
Personal Structures is a global contemporary art showcase hosted by the European Cultural Centre (ECC) that runs concurrent to the Venice Biennale. Personal Structures presents a wide selection of works from emerging and internationally renowned artists, photographers, sculptors and projects of academic institutions from all over the world. In the upcoming edition at Venice, the Cook Islands will be included for the first time.
The artist writes,
“Governed by the ocean, we are a small island nation vulnerable to the tropical elements. Intense sun, rain, rust, and corrosion. The majestic volcanic mountains embrace us, so too the land that we continue to inherit from our ancestors. Sacred enclosures and celestial spheres are the underlying currents that dictate our existence. Our belief in spirituality, superstition, has been transformed into the western concept of religion.
We traversed the expansive ocean to secure and maintain relationships. Traditional history links us to the East and West of Polynesia. Chiefly titles, linguistics, shared iconic deities, and sacred landmarks are proof of this connection. As seafaring people, navigation was critical to our livelihood. To reunite with neighbouring tribes and family. To seek and settle new lands. The skill and knowledge of the navigator was held in the highest regard. The ability to read the constellations of the stars, patterns of the ocean, and ominous signs in the weather ensured safe passage on what was an often uncertain journey. The legendary ancient ocean god, and god of fertility, Tangaroa (Taʻaroa, Tangaloa, and Kanaloa in different dialects), is recognised as a senior deity throughout Polynesia. Worshipped to promote longevity of the tribe, he also ensured safety on both land and ocean.
This exhibition examines and explores our traditional Polynesian history. How, as warriors, we circumnavigated a third of the world’s ocean. The battles that were fought, the alliances that were made, and the empires created to sustain and further strengthen the health and livelihood of a people.”
Kaveinga – Angels of the Ocean will be accompanied by a Bergman Gallery publication featuring essays from curators Francis McWhannell and Arthur Buerms and a suite of photographs from Ewan Smith.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 2 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 2 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Rarotonga Coastline. Image courtesy Ewan Smith.
Rarotonga Coastline. Image courtesy Ewan Smith.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony (detail), 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony (detail), 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa in studio, Rarotonga 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa in studio, Rarotonga 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 3 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 3 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Vaka Titi ai Tonga, Aitutaki Lagoon. Image Courtesy Ewan Smith.
Vaka Titi ai Tonga, Aitutaki Lagoon. Image Courtesy Ewan Smith.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 2 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 2 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Ikurangi. Image courtesy Ewan Smith.
Ikurangi. Image courtesy Ewan Smith.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 4 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 4 (detail). 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Vaka Marumaru Atua. Image courtesy Akau Film.
Vaka Marumaru Atua. Image courtesy Akau Film.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 3(detail), 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 3 (detail), 1500x650mm, oil on canvas, 2021.
Vaka Prow, Vaka Titi ai Tonga, Aitutaki Lagoon. Image Courtesy Ewan Smith.
Vaka Prow, Vaka Titi ai Tonga, Aitutaki Lagoon. Image Courtesy Ewan Smith.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Kaveinga - Angels of the Ocean, installation image.
Chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand Caren Rangi with Bergman Gallery Director Ben Bergman.
His Excellency Anthony Simpson, New Zealand Ambassador to Italy with Bergman Gallery Director Ben Bergman.
ECC/Personal Structures Head of Art Sara Danieli with Ben Bergman.
ECC/Personal Structures Head of Art Sara Danieli with Ben Bergman.
NZ and Cook Islands art patrons Anthony Wright & Selene Manning with Ben Bergman.
Ora Partners Directors Tai Ngari and Puai Wichman.
Ecc's Sara Danieli with Cook Islands Tourism Southern European Manager Nicholas Costantini.
Media Q&A.
New Zealand Artist Jamie Teheuheu with Ben Chan.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 1, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 1, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 2, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 2, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 3, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 3, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 4, oil on canvas 1500x650mm, 2022.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Ocean Symphony 4, oil on canvas 1500x650mm, 2022.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 1, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 1, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 2, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 2, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 3, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 3, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 4 oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Tension in the Tide 4 oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 1, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2022.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 1, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2022.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 2, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2022.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 2, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2022.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 3 oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 3 oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2021.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 4, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2022.
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Signals in the Stars 4, oil on canvas, 1500x650mm, 2022.