Norm Heke: OMGs: Maori Gods in the 21st Century

Norm Heke (Ngā Puhi, Ngati Kahu, Te Arawa, Welsh, English)

Norm is an established New Zealand photographer with his work featured extensively in numerous publications and exhibitions throughout his expansive 24 year career. This is Norm's first solo exhibition, an opportunity to showcase his talent and creativity. This series of work features advancements in photography and printing in New Zealand.

The theme of the collection represents Māori Gods and Goddesses in the 21st century. The images portray customary Māori legends and narratives simultaneously in the past and in contemporary society. Legends are retold pictorially from Norm’s perspective as a Maori artist, with the understanding that in Māori culture, each iwi has their own interpretation of these stories. References are also made to the shared stories of the Atua throughout the Pacific, transitioning with the story of Maui fishing up the North Island (Te Ika a Maui).

Many cultures have interpreted their metaphysical beliefs into an expression they can identify with in order to make sense of the world around them, for Māori it has been the personification of the natural world as Atua. This series represents a perception of the Atua with a 21st century viewpoint and poses questions for the epic battles that we want our Gods to fight with us and for us.

Exhibition starts 3 September 2011 until 27 November 2011.