Activity D: Creating abstract art forms from nature
Be inspired to explore, create and experiment with your own abstract art patterns from nature.
Nature as an abstract art form
Kōwhaiwhai are abstract visual motifs that represent, and tell, stories. The patterns vary around the country and reflect the place in which they were made. Collection Online shows some of the variety of beautiful kowhaiwhai forms and patterns that exist.
Scroll through this slideshow, draw out the abstract patterns and consider where some of the forms may have come from in te taiao.
In this useful video from The Dowse Art Museum in Te Awakairangi, some of the simple forms of kowhaiwhai are explained, along with their connections to te taiao.
Write the name of each of the kowhaiwhai forms and practice each simple form as demonstrated in the video.
Ngataiharuru Taepa (Te Arawa, Te Āti Awa) is a contemporary artist playing with kōwhaiwhai form and colour palette, sometimes using such colours as mint, purple and lemon.
Maunga titohea, 2017, by Ngataiharuru Taepa. (Te Arawa, Te Āti Awa). Commissioned 2017 by Te Papa (2018-0002-1)
|
“The works I have created give visual form to karakia (incantations and prayers used to invoke spiritual guidance and protection). I have selected a part of the karakia that describes the universe as a cosmic garden with infinite potential. In nature, moments of balance, rhythm and complexity inspire me – in our culture we are considered a part of nature connected through genealogy. These works suggest that we are a part of a cosmic garden filled with infinite potential.” |
To design your own abstract pattern, fold an A4 in half lengthways and then divide it into equal parts. Focus on reflecting and repeating forms. Choose a limited palette of colour to provide contrast and definition.
Photo by Te Papa
Alternatively, cut out a variety of abstract art patterns in various colours and experiment with arranging them. In the photo above, learners are playing with using abstract shapes to tell a story of whakapapa.
Manawarangi #1, 2008, by Ngataiharuru Taepa (Te Arawa, Te Āti Awa). Te Papa (ME024010)
In the work above, Manawarangi #1, Taepa uses technological tools to make perfectly edged replicas of his initial drawings. His work explores the journey of knowledge that has led to producing customary kowhaiwhai art forms, though very different means.
Manawarangi #1 is built up in layers of acrylic laminates. At first glance they appear to contain only two vibrant colours, one used to describe the negative space and one used to describe the positive space. When viewed from the side, however, one can see that it is built up with layer upon layer of brightly coloured acrylic. The works encourage the viewer to think about the space between things, and the relationship between the seen and unseen worlds.
Experiment with cutting your own abstract art pattern out of card, or thin balsa wood and layering over a contrasting substrate. Consider the use of colour for symbolising meaning. What are the differences in effect and method when we begin to design abstract art form as separate layers?