We have some remarkable news to share with you whanau… The artwork of four Aquinas students have been on display at Te Papa, NZ’s national museum.
The pieces are part of 2024 Ringa Toi, a 150-piece exhibition showcasing toi Māori and Pasifika artworks by NZ secondary school students. It is an artistic coup that four of the 123 artists selected are from Aquinas College.
They are Year 11 Visual Art students Nina Costello, Paige Eastergaard, Isla Morrison, and Nina Young. Their accomplishment was highlighted in the NZ Herald and BOP Times this week. It is an incredible achievement to have their work displayed in NZ’s national museum.
The students created painted waka paddles symbolising Aquinas College and its community. Several of the students attended the exhibit’s Sept. 12 gala opening along with Visual Art Teacher Helen Rejthar. While there, they participated in a workshop with renowned NZ street artist, Mr G.
The annual exhibit ends today (Sept. 27) and is organised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to celebrate Māori and Pasifika excellence in student art. It includes photography, sculpture, carving, weaving, and printmaking, among others.
Meaning Behind the Artworks:
Nina Costello
The waka paddle features intricate kōwhaiwhai patterns symbolising the hospitality and welcoming spirit of Aquinas College. The white lily, a holy flower in the Bible, represents purity and aligns with our commitment to truth. The koru, symbolising new life, strength, and peace, reflects our dedication to growth and resilience.
At the top of the paddle, the sun represents Japan, the land of the rising sun, where my journey began. This element honours my heritage and celebrates the diverse backgrounds that enrich our community.
The paddle is a blend of cultural symbols and personal heritage, embodying the values of welcome, purity, strength, and hope that guide us at Aquinas College.
Paige Eastergaard
The cross ascending the paddle symbolizes our school’s deep connection with God and its Catholic identity, while the ruru at the base embodies wisdom and guidance, firmly rooting the artwork in ancestral knowledge.
The Māori face at the bottom right links the paddle to St Thomas Aquinas, bridging cultural heritage and spiritual tradition. The triangular Māori pattern rising along the cross represents growth and continuity, and the fusion of mangōpare patterns at the top of the cross signifies enduring strength.
Isla Morrison
My waka paddle ‘Te Kete Whakapapa – Vessel of Wisdom and Connection’ symbolises the values of wisdom, peace, and unity within our school community. The kete, a traditional Māori basket, serves as a foundation that holds together the diverse aspects of our school, representing the connections that bind us. The rope, linked to Māui’s hook, signifies resilience and security, anchoring our school and whānau.
In Māori culture, the kete also honours the legacy of the departed, celebrating both our past and future. The colours red, yellow, blue, and purple woven into the design represent our school Houses, further emphasizing the unity and collective spirit of our community.
Nina Young
There are three main aspects to my waka paddle; the handle, the body and the base. The handle incorporates designs inspired by carvings from Aquinas, both from the chapel altar/lectern and our whare, with St Thomas Aquinas at the hilt.I have also weaved in the greens from the kete basket.
The main body has three flyingtūī birds. I have chosen tūī as they are native to NZ, and I often see them flying around Te Ranga, the battle site that neighbours AC. In Māori culture, the tui has powerful significance. They act as messengers to the gods in the heavens. I have painted three birds to also represent the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, incorporating our religious beliefs.
At the base sits akete basket to symbolise knowledge, wisdom and the connection/intertwining of cultures. I have deliberately chosen this to represent our school’s touchstone of scholarship.
