Saffronn
Te Ratana (Ngai Tuhoe) is one of the most keenly observed contemporary Maori artists working
today. She is known as an artist’s artist, a painter’s painter; someone of unfathomable
passion, commitment and energy for making art. She has featured in every major
exhibition of contemporary Maori art of the last decade and has works in public collections
including The National Museum Te Papa Tongarewa and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o
Tamaki.
Saffronn
is also an elusive figure, eschewing the celebrity art circuit in favour of other circles, namely
her family, friends and various Maori communities. These influences are evident in her art
work which is conceptually informed by her Tuhoe identity but sits quite apart from the approach of
many other artists working today. To be specific, her identity does not sit on the
surface of her work like a cultural brand. Instead it is expressed in a unique and
sophisticated visual language that is equally responsive to other influences, including the
material qualities and traditions of painting. This approach, almost in defiance to
the demand for Maori art on the art market, has won her a legion of fans and The Suter is proud to
be the host of her first major solo exhibition in a public art gallery.
This exhibition, which
runs until the 18th October 2009, is a physical realisation of a pepeha [a Maori proverb
or saying] given to the artist's first born child. It represents the child's cultural
inheritance and the structures upon which his identity is formed. Encoded in this
installation are references to tribal whakapapa (genealogy) such as the coupling of
Hinepukohurangi, the maiden of the mist, and Maungapohatu, the sacred mountain of Te
Urewera. More obvious are the forests, mist and kereru pigeons) which are synonymous
with the Urewera region. The artist also makes connections with the tradition of
painted wharenui (houses) in her tribal rohe (area) which feature this distinctive peppermint green
colour, tree forms and kowhaiwhai (decorative motifs).
Saffronn also likens
the development of her baby’s mind, the connection of synapses within the brain, to the way in
which pepeha reflect complex notions of identity that extend beyond the individual. So at
its simplest level, this installation is a portrait of Maungapohatu, the artist’s son, where he
comes from and who he might become.
Curator, Anna-Marie
White says: “Like many of my colleagues, I have admired Saffronn’s work and especially, her
attitude to art making, for many years. There are few artists today who have the same level
of intensity and commitment to art – it was as if she was born to it and everything she touches has
this intriguing quality. This is not to deny the hard work and long periods of
development behind each series or exhibition, as testified by the long periods between recent
shows. Saffronn only presents her best and considered work and never releases
anything just to meet demand. While this it is quite an enviable position for an
artist to have public and dealer galleries knocking on the studio door, this is not what motivates
this artist and funnily enough, what keeps us wanting more.”
The Suter’s Director,
Julie Catchpole says, “We are very excited and privileged to show her work in Nelson and especially
to host her first solo exhibition in a public art gallery".