Difference between revisions of "Maori Rock Art"
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'''''Maori History''''': | '''''Maori History''''': | ||
| − | The first inhabitants of New Zealand, known today as the ''Maori'', were thought to have come from Eastern Polynesia over 1000 years ago. The Maori first settled on the coasts of the North and South Island and practiced fishing, hunting, and gardening. Over time, the Maori detached themselves from the traditional art style of Eastern Polynesia and developed their own artistic style, easily seen in the creation of their signature carving style and weaponry ( | + | The first inhabitants of New Zealand, known today as the ''Maori'', were thought to have come from Eastern Polynesia over 1000 years ago. The Maori first settled on the coasts of the North and South Island and practiced fishing, hunting, and gardening. Over time, the Maori detached themselves from the traditional art style of Eastern Polynesia and developed their own artistic style, easily seen in the creation of their signature carving style and weaponry (Cherry 10-15. |
| − | A steady increase in the Maori population eventually led to increased competition and warfare between tribes for land and natural resources. As a result, the Maori built defensive structures known as ''pas,'' which can still be seen on the archaeological landscape today. Interaction with foreign European traders and missionaries in New Zealand also led to warfare and a loss of traditional Maori society. Many Maori beliefs and practices were discontinued after their assimilation into European society and warfare over land rights and unfamiliar disease led to a decrease in their population. ( | + | A steady increase in the Maori population eventually led to increased competition and warfare between tribes for land and natural resources. As a result, the Maori built defensive structures known as ''pas,'' which can still be seen on the archaeological landscape today. Interaction with foreign European traders and missionaries in New Zealand also led to warfare and a loss of traditional Maori society. Many Maori beliefs and practices were discontinued after their assimilation into European society and warfare over land rights and unfamiliar disease led to a decrease in their population. (Cherry 10-15) |
'''''Traditional Maori Art''''': | '''''Traditional Maori Art''''': | ||
| − | Traditional Maori art was produced using the raw materials found around New Zealand's natural landscape. The Maori used materials such as wood, bone, and shell as the basic canvases for their artistic creations and before their introduction to European metal tools, the Maori constructed their own tools for scraping, carving, and painting. Red, black, and white were the most commonly-used colors in Maori art and often symbolized certain social rankings within Maori society ( | + | Traditional Maori art was produced using the raw materials found around New Zealand's natural landscape. The Maori used materials such as wood, bone, and shell as the basic canvases for their artistic creations and before their introduction to European metal tools, the Maori constructed their own tools for scraping, carving, and painting. Red, black, and white were the most commonly-used colors in Maori art and often symbolized certain social rankings within Maori society ("Maori Art of New Zealand"). Traditional Maori art incorporated symmetrical curves and spirals as well as figurative images of human ancestors or god-like forms (''tiki''), bird-like creatures (''manaia''), merman or sea monsters (''marakihau''), and lizards (''moko'') (Barrow 1984: 32). |
| − | The Maori had many art forms, including carved wooden canoes and sculpture, personal adornment and clothing, elaborately designed weapons, and rock art ( | + | The Maori had many art forms, including carved wooden canoes and sculpture, personal adornment and clothing, elaborately designed weapons, and rock art (Cherry 10-15). All art produced by the Maori was created for a practical or symbolic reason and often depicted ancestor figures and spirits in a curvilinear style (Barrow 1984: 23-27). Over time, the more symmetrical and simple designs characteristic of traditional Maori art style transformed into a more 'flamboyant' artistic style (Barrow 1978: 71). |
'''''Maori Rock Art'''': | '''''Maori Rock Art'''': | ||
| − | The majority of Maori rock art can be found in the areas of North Otago and South Canterbury. Traditional Maori rock art was either scratched into the surface of the rock or painted using hand-made tools and long-lasting inks (5). The images depicted in Maori rock art and their purposes for production are often ambiguous or unknown (Barrow 1978: 44). The carved and painted art often depicted curvilinear designs and figurative scenes of Maori oral tales of myth and legend. Such scenes included, but were not limited to, the story of Maori creation which involved the separation of the Sky Father and the Earth Mother by their children ( | + | The majority of Maori rock art can be found in the areas of North Otago and South Canterbury. Traditional Maori rock art was either scratched into the surface of the rock or painted using hand-made tools and long-lasting inks (5). The images depicted in Maori rock art and their purposes for production are often ambiguous or unknown (Barrow 1978: 44). The carved and painted art often depicted curvilinear designs and figurative scenes of Maori oral tales of myth and legend. Such scenes included, but were not limited to, the story of Maori creation which involved the separation of the Sky Father and the Earth Mother by their children ("newzealand.com"). |
The Maori believed that each man-made work of art had a spirit life (Barrow 1984: 23). They did not think of rock art as an inanimate impractical object; in contrast, the Maori believed that art, and all naturally-occurring objects, had a personality and could gain prestige (''mana''). The Maori understood the man-made rock art as symbols of the Gods and objects which housed spirits (''mauri''), ranging from the spirits of a garden to the spirits of a tribe itself (Barrow 1978: 41-44). | The Maori believed that each man-made work of art had a spirit life (Barrow 1984: 23). They did not think of rock art as an inanimate impractical object; in contrast, the Maori believed that art, and all naturally-occurring objects, had a personality and could gain prestige (''mana''). The Maori understood the man-made rock art as symbols of the Gods and objects which housed spirits (''mauri''), ranging from the spirits of a garden to the spirits of a tribe itself (Barrow 1978: 41-44). | ||
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Barrow, Terence. Illustrated Guide to Maori Art. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1984. 23-32. Print. | Barrow, Terence. Illustrated Guide to Maori Art. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1984. 23-32. Print. | ||
| + | |||
Barrow, Terence. Maori Art of New Zealand. Paris: THE UNESCO PRESS and A.H. & A.W. Reed Ltd, 1978. 42-71. Print. | Barrow, Terence. Maori Art of New Zealand. Paris: THE UNESCO PRESS and A.H. & A.W. Reed Ltd, 1978. 42-71. Print. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cherry, Stella. Te Ao Maori the Maori World. Dublin: National Museum of Ireland, 1990. 10-15. Print. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Maori Art." Maori Art of New Zealand. 2006-2010. Maori Tourism Limited, Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.maori.com/maori-art.aspx>. | ||
| + | |||
| + | "Maori Culture." newzealand.com. 1999-2010. New Zealand Tourism Board, Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/culture/culture-maori-culture.cfm>. | ||
Revision as of 16:04, 21 February 2010
Maori History: The first inhabitants of New Zealand, known today as the Maori, were thought to have come from Eastern Polynesia over 1000 years ago. The Maori first settled on the coasts of the North and South Island and practiced fishing, hunting, and gardening. Over time, the Maori detached themselves from the traditional art style of Eastern Polynesia and developed their own artistic style, easily seen in the creation of their signature carving style and weaponry (Cherry 10-15.
A steady increase in the Maori population eventually led to increased competition and warfare between tribes for land and natural resources. As a result, the Maori built defensive structures known as pas, which can still be seen on the archaeological landscape today. Interaction with foreign European traders and missionaries in New Zealand also led to warfare and a loss of traditional Maori society. Many Maori beliefs and practices were discontinued after their assimilation into European society and warfare over land rights and unfamiliar disease led to a decrease in their population. (Cherry 10-15)
Traditional Maori Art: Traditional Maori art was produced using the raw materials found around New Zealand's natural landscape. The Maori used materials such as wood, bone, and shell as the basic canvases for their artistic creations and before their introduction to European metal tools, the Maori constructed their own tools for scraping, carving, and painting. Red, black, and white were the most commonly-used colors in Maori art and often symbolized certain social rankings within Maori society ("Maori Art of New Zealand"). Traditional Maori art incorporated symmetrical curves and spirals as well as figurative images of human ancestors or god-like forms (tiki), bird-like creatures (manaia), merman or sea monsters (marakihau), and lizards (moko) (Barrow 1984: 32).
The Maori had many art forms, including carved wooden canoes and sculpture, personal adornment and clothing, elaborately designed weapons, and rock art (Cherry 10-15). All art produced by the Maori was created for a practical or symbolic reason and often depicted ancestor figures and spirits in a curvilinear style (Barrow 1984: 23-27). Over time, the more symmetrical and simple designs characteristic of traditional Maori art style transformed into a more 'flamboyant' artistic style (Barrow 1978: 71).
Maori Rock Art': The majority of Maori rock art can be found in the areas of North Otago and South Canterbury. Traditional Maori rock art was either scratched into the surface of the rock or painted using hand-made tools and long-lasting inks (5). The images depicted in Maori rock art and their purposes for production are often ambiguous or unknown (Barrow 1978: 44). The carved and painted art often depicted curvilinear designs and figurative scenes of Maori oral tales of myth and legend. Such scenes included, but were not limited to, the story of Maori creation which involved the separation of the Sky Father and the Earth Mother by their children ("newzealand.com").
The Maori believed that each man-made work of art had a spirit life (Barrow 1984: 23). They did not think of rock art as an inanimate impractical object; in contrast, the Maori believed that art, and all naturally-occurring objects, had a personality and could gain prestige (mana). The Maori understood the man-made rock art as symbols of the Gods and objects which housed spirits (mauri), ranging from the spirits of a garden to the spirits of a tribe itself (Barrow 1978: 41-44).
Examples of Maori Rock Art:
Takiora, North Otago: The Maori rock art at the site of Takiora was created using many different techniques. Its great use of red pigments and scrolled figure add to this rock shelter's importance (5).
'Maerewhenue, North Otago: The Maori rock art from Maerewhenue uses liquid paint to depict both naturalistic figures as well as abstract designs (5).
Preservation and Education: An increased interest in finding and recording Maori rock art has led many archaeologists and organizations, such as The South Island Maori Rock Art Project, or SIMRAP, to survey the South Island for previously-known and new rock art sites. In order to study and educate others about Maori rock art, SIMRAP uses a database and pictorial evidence to document the location and the condition of the rock art (5).
References:
Barrow, Terence. Illustrated Guide to Maori Art. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1984. 23-32. Print.
Barrow, Terence. Maori Art of New Zealand. Paris: THE UNESCO PRESS and A.H. & A.W. Reed Ltd, 1978. 42-71. Print.
Cherry, Stella. Te Ao Maori the Maori World. Dublin: National Museum of Ireland, 1990. 10-15. Print.
"Maori Art." Maori Art of New Zealand. 2006-2010. Maori Tourism Limited, Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.maori.com/maori-art.aspx>.
"Maori Culture." newzealand.com. 1999-2010. New Zealand Tourism Board, Web. 21 Feb 2010. <http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/culture/culture-maori-culture.cfm>.
