![]( https://artnow-latch.imgix.net/Exhibitions/Anton-Forde-Te-Kotahitanga-o-Whakamaru-The-Unity-of-Protection-2022-detail-installation-view.-Courtesy-of-the-artist.-Photo-Peter-Rees.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&dm=1711326818&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.1.0&jpegQuality=100&position=center-center&ratio=1.5&step=100&width=
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![]( https://artnow-latch.imgix.net/Exhibitions/Anton-Forde-Te-Kotahitanga-o-Whakamaru-The-Unity-of-Protection-2022-detail-installation-view.-Courtesy-of-the-artist.-Photo-Peter-Rees.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&dm=1711326818&fit=crop&ixlib=php-3.1.0&jpegQuality=100&position=center-center&ratio=1.5&step=100&width=
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81 carved, wooden pou appear as sentinels in the gallery. Each pou – distinguished from each other by only the slightest difference in head shape, inclination, and hand-carved Pounamu taonga – are placed in a kao kao-inspired formation. The specific motifs, carved forms and numerology in Papare Eighty.one are drawn from a connection to taiao and natural systems that have sustained humanity. Configuring the pou as guards, Forde places natural environments under their protection. As individuals – both visitor and pou – gather together, Papare Eighty.one enacts a call to kotahitanga; to collective action that safeguards the future of our natural world for generations to come
81 carved, wooden pou appear as sentinels in the gallery. Each pou – distinguished from each other by only the slightest difference in head shape, inclination, and hand-carved Pounamu taonga – are placed in a kao kao-inspired formation. The specific motifs, carved forms and numerology in Papare Eighty.one are drawn from a connection to taiao and natural systems that have sustained humanity. Configuring the pou as guards, Forde places natural environments under their protection. As individuals – both visitor and pou – gather together, Papare Eighty.one enacts a call to kotahitanga; to collective action that safeguards the future of our natural world for generations to come