Rahurahu

Limited Edition Print 9/10 by Nyle Turuwhenua

Dimensions: 450 x 625mm (Framed)

Drypoint etching

‘Rahurahu’ delves into the ongoing impacts of colonisation, drawing inspiration from the book No Māori Allowed, which examines the history of racial segregation in Pukekohe from a Māori perspective. The book sheds light on the oppressive living conditions Māori endured; being forced into cow sheds, corrugated iron huts with dirt floors, and homes without running water, due to the unwritten rule that “you don’t rent to Maori.” These stories of marginalisation and loss resonate deeply within this work.

The deconstructed kete in Rahurahu symbolises the fragmentation caused by colonisation: the loss of knowledge, language, and the intergenerational transmission of cultural practices. Just as the kete, an object meant to hold and protect, is ripped apart, so too were the lives of Māori disrupted, their ability to thrive stripped away by systemic discrimination. In reweaving the kete, I aim to restore its purpose and mauri, embodying an act of reclamation and healing. This process speaks to the resilience of Māori communities in the face of historical and ongoing oppression and reflects the strength it takes to reclaim lost knowledge and restore cultural identity."Rahurahu" invites reflection on how colonisation has fractured Māori lives and traditions, urging us to confront these histories while honouring the enduring mana of those who resist and rebuild.

Drypoint etching is an intaglio printmaking technique where an image/ drawing is scratched directly onto a metal or acrylic plate using a sharp needle. The action of drawing raises a burr (a ridge of displaced material) along the lines, which holds ink and creates rich, velvety marks when printed. Ink is applied to the plate and then wiped so it remains only in the incised lines. The plate is then run through a printing press with damp paper, transferring the image onto the paper under pressure. Each print captures the delicate textures and expressive quality of the hand-drawn lines.