Photo: supplied
Cecelia Kumeroa Photo: supplied
Artist and designer Cecelia Kumeroa (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pārāngi) has been the Iwi Arts lead for the cultural design component of the new Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery.
The new extension to the gallery, Te Pātaka o Ta Te Atiwhai Archie John Taiaroa, tells a uniquely Whanganui story. The black granite cladding is etched with an Aramoana patterning and inlaid between the granite with metal ‘tioata’ or shards, sculptural elements which uniquely imitates the effect of light playing on water.
It’s a light effect that can be seen on the Whanganui River, which gets called kā napanapa. Elsewhere designs in the new wing reflect Whanganui tribal histories, chosen through a series of workshops with architects Warren and Mahoney and Te Kā hui Toi, an artist group appointed by a collective of hapū from the lower reaches of the river. Then there is the impressive new carved totara waka bridge that joins the old gallery to the new - like an umbilical cord says Kumeroa. It was finally revealed on Saturday and records the stories of Whanganui iwi.
Cecelia Kumeroa designs Victoria Ave Photo: supplied
‘Waka Maumahara' Rotokawau Virginia Lakes, Cecelia Kumeroa Photo: supplied
Cecelia Kumeroa is now a curator at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, but has a long interest in bringing the design and stories of Whanganui iwi into public space in the city.
She leads Ihi Design Studio and has brought innovative cultural design components to everything from the streetscape of Drews Ave, to a metal screen on a new Victoria Street toilet block. There have been projection projects along the Whanganui Riverbank.
Kumeroa’s public sculpture ‘Waka Maumahara’ can be found at Rotokawau Virginia Lake and was a Best Design Award finalist in 2021.
Work by Cecelia Kumeroa Photo: supplied
Her mural Ki Uta, ‘Ki Ta’i was a 41-metre long public art mural for the Sarjeant during the gallery’s redevelopment.
She joins Culture 101 at Te Whare o Rehua.
