Mātaki

(Finalist in the Parkin Drawing Prize 2019)

• 1970 x 760 mm
• Note paper, acrylic, compressed charcoal and found objects on recycled door (2019)
• Artists Collection

Mātaki – ‘to gaze, watch, inspect, examine, observe’

Mātaki is a site-specific project that refers to the Ward Observatory in Whanganui, and was inspired by the unique shape of a recycled door. The work embodies a process of investigation and experimentation from beginning to end. Collaged, drawn and painted onto the door are all related project findings: observational sketches, architectural drawings, research notes, historical data, recorded conversations and astronomy diagrams. The star chart, as viewed in June 2019, (including the Matariki constellation) is included as a central part of the work. Layers of information were built up gradually over 12 months creating a textured and detailed surface through which the final composition emerged.