My exhibition He Wai Apakura – Te Ara Pounamu/ The River’s Lament – A Pathway of Treasures was shown at the Eastern Southland Gallery in Gore from the 6th October to the 16th of February 2025.
The exhibition took over three years to create and highlights 190 different species of flora and fauna found in the Māruawai and wider Mataura Valley.
The exhibition has been a collaborative project that collectively links the natural habitats of our indigenous flora and fauna with archive-based information sourced through oral histories gathered from key kaumātua from the Hokonui Rῡnanga, the Eastern Southland Gallery and other experts such as Brian Rance, Eric Edwards, Daniel Jack and others.
With the support of the Hokonui Rūnanga it also highlights the importance of this section of the Mataura River for its numerous mahinga kai sites and its role as a pathway for those who have gone before. These sites include: Kowhaka-ruru/ Pyramid Hill down to Wharekorokio, Hoka-nui/ East Peak and the Hokonui Hills, Ōnuku/ East Gore Terrace, Kahuika/ Junction of the Waikākahi/ Waikaka and Mataura rivers, Te Au nui Pihapiha Kanakana/ Mataura Falls, Mouth of the Waimumu Stream and Tuturau.
Due to the lack of remaining native vegetation and the loss of many species, I chose to illustrate what would have been present in pre-European times.
The paintings in the exhibition have been created using watercolour, gouache and liquid acrylic painted onto 850gsm Arches – 100% rag based paper.
A splash of river water has used with the paints.
The Kanakana are made with air dried clay and coated with gesso and silver acrylic paint, then vanished. Photo: Jacqui Byars 2024
The river stones were collected from the river catchment and varnished.
Clematis paniculata
Veronica salicifolia
I love working in the field so, whenever possible, I take the opportunity to explore, photograph and sketch in the environment. I prefer to paint and draw directly from life as much as possible.