Maori Carved Wooden Panel by Iotua Charlie Tuarau

Iotua Charlie Tuarau, Maori carved wooden panel, signed, dated and inscribed 'I. C. Tuarau, Maori carver, Dominion Museum, Wellington, NZ, 1963' verso, rectangular carving with rounded edges, painted red. From proper left to proper right: two manaia figures, central tiki head with crosses on cheeks, flared nostrils and heart-shaped mouth, two mirroring manaia figures. All five figures have p?ua inlaid eyes, mm, length 2170, height 30 cm, depth 4.5 cm, the revival of Maori architectural arts was boosted by Sir Apirana Ngata who established the Institute of Maori Arts and Crafts in Rotorua in 1927. Ngata believed that it was crucial for such a school to exist as only one carver remained on the East coast at the time, an area once renowned for its architectural ornamentation. Thanks to his initiative, a renaissance of Maori arts took place. Iotua Charlie Tuarau was one of those students trained by the remaining expert carvers including Eramiha Kapua. His talent and creativity thrilled those who were fortunate to experience them, after fighting with the 28th Maori Battalion during the Second World War, he resumed his artistic career and was employed as a master carver at Te papa Tongarewa's predecessor, the Dominion Museum, remaining in this position for over thirty years. During that period a US Navy serviceman, Warner Hutchinson, while posted in Wellington from 1958 to 1962, met Tuarau. Enamoured by his Art, he commissioned him to make a carving to be mounted above his bed at home, inspired by the traditional carved panels adorning Maori architecture the Tuarau panel is distinguished by the remarkable wealth of carved decoration depicting mythological and ancestral figures. The central tiki is delicately framed with an intricate design of rauponga, playing on the volumes and creating a destabilizing effect, enhanced by the shine of the inlaid paua eyes. The viewer is absorbed in the convoluted patterns, appreciating the power of the deified ancestors, Warner Hutchinson passed away in 2016. We are honoured that his family chose to repatriate this impressive piece from Florida to its land of creation, Aotearoa - New Zealand.