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Nga Toki Mate Whenua - Axes Felling Trees, Kill the Land

Feature image of artwork

Nga Toki Mate Whenua - Axes Felling Trees, Kill the Land

  • Artist

    Tony Fomison

  • Production Date

    1983

  • Medium

    oil on hessian

  • Size

    804 x 1058 mm

  • Credit

    Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Chartwell Gift Collection, 2009

  • Accession Number

    2009/28/2

  • Accession Date

    17 Sep 2009

  • Department

    New Zealand Art

  • Classification

    Painting

  • Collection

    AAG

  • Subjects

    figures (representations), landscapes (representations), Māori, Patu, Piki, mythology, myths, axes (tools), environmental protection

  • Description

    The title of this painting, together with the almost mythical landscape, suggests a threatening narrative. The central figure adorned with a heru (comb) and gripping a toki (axe) is seemingly intent on one thing. Yet, is the figure fighting against the destruction of the land or does the painting depict resistance, or an altercation with those responsible for the felling of forests? (Te Moananui a Kiwa, 2005)

Exhibition history

More work by Tony Fomison

The Temptation of Brother Anthony

The Temptation of Brother Anthony

Beethoven