The background on the cover of Hemi Kelly's A Maori Word A Day‘ is more than just a beautiful piece of art.
The artwork, named 'Taki Toru’, is a creation from the private collection of Wellington-based artist Sheree Willman. Willman is of Ngāti Kahungunu and Rangitāne descent and draws on her cultural heritage to inspire her art.
'Taki Toru' is inspired by a traditional tukutuku panel at Makirikiri Marae in Dannevirke.
Willman says, ‘I am passionate about the patterns of tukutuku, the woven wall panels seen in whare tipuna or meeting houses, and also the patterns of tāniko, which is traditional flax weaving to make baskets or cloth. Old or new, these patterns each convey different meanings, mythologies and experiences.’
‘Taki Toru’ symbolises two-way communication.
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