The Test of Legacy (Clay Will Not Stick to Iron…) Drawing

Pencil & graphite on paper with mirror glass, ink and linen - 2013 The saying, clay will not stick to iron when the sun shines (“E kore e piri te uku kit e rino…” circa 1870s, New Zealand), are the translated, famous words of Te Whiti O Rongomai, an historically crucial Maori activist and leader of peaceful protest occupation. Te Whiti’s messages were of solidarity within Maori, maintenance of land ownership and ways forward in terms of Maori and Pakeha unity. This saying has come to have slightly varied meanings over the years. The simplest translation would be to state that, in the bright light of day, Pakeha and Maori will be at odds over soured agreements. The initial intended definition was to highlight the significance of the legacy of land sales. Much of these were unjust, with Maori being cheated out of vast areas of land and funds. Iron is Pakeha, clay is Maori and water is within clay, but when the sun shines and water dries there is nothing left: land can be lived off forever and money disappears. There have been significant land repatriation deals in recent times, back to Maori, but there is much work yet to be done on these relationships and the difficult legacy of colonisation and urbanisation.

Drawing:Pencil on Paper

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:62.2 W x 48 H x 1.2 D in

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