Tim Wigmore and Lyonel Grant, Tōtara.
Precious Cargo is an exhibition that takes a traditional māori tāonga and explores another interpretation of it's functionality.
Waka Huia were designed as intricate treasure boxes, carved on the outside to equal their valuable contents. They might house rau (feathers), hei tiki or heru (traditional ornamental comb).
Designer Tim Wigmore designs furniture pieces and light lampshades and runs his business designtree with his partner Rebecca. Tim collaborated with six artists on Precious Cargo, Veranoa Hetet nō Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto; Carver Lyonel Grant nō Ngāti Pikiao, Te Arawa, Taonga Pūoro maker Brian Flintoff, Jeweller Nga Waiata; Wood turner Graeme Priddle and Potter, Chris Weaver.
Tim Wigmore and Veranoa Hetet, Flax. Photo Credit: Tim Wigmore
I guess the start of the project was quite a lot of research, and I knew I wanted to make vessels or some sort of box or cabinet because I really like the mystery, you have a box that’s closed and you have to engage with the piece, you have to open it. That small gesture of opening something instantly involves you with the piece.
- Nā Tim Wigmore
Tim Wigmore and Brian Flintoff, Matai.
Tim Wigmore and Chris Weaver, Rimu.
Justine Murray tours the exhibition, and Designer Tim Wigmore explains how the project took shape.
