Whanau

To me this set is everything that whanau should be. It is connection. It is values. It is tangible representation of the loving bond that a cohesive whanau has.

This is a set full of meaning and depth. It was commissioned by the Mum who has recently received a terminal cancer diagnosis! Devastating! She wanted a set for her kids, husband, and herself for obvious reasons. Such an important kaupapa that I am honored to be asked to be involved really.

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The front of the pendants has a part of this picture on each. It is inspired by the Dad’s wedding ring design. The trunk and roots of the tree on the parents pendants. They each have a small branch here to represent their first baby that did not survive. The branches of the tree are on the kids pendants and these represent six values that are important to the whanau; Hope, Strength, Steadfastness, Courage, Peacefulness, Spiritual Connection.

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On the back of the pendants is a circular pattern that is inspired by the Mums wedding ring design. This shows the bond and connection of whanau, no matter where they are they each will know they are an integral part of something bigger.

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The design and first cuts are a very important part of carving. Here you can see where this started. With a sketch on paper and the selection of a piece of pounamu that resonates. For a set that is about connection, knowing how the pendants were actually connected before being carved is valuable. You can still see the patterns in the finished pieces and how they match up with the original slice.

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Seeing the journey the pounamu goes on to become its final shape is important. Seeing the stages it goes through in different shapes gives us a stronger understanding of what it was and what it took for it to become the taonga it now is.

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