Erana James Ka mua, ka muri Woollen blanket & Cotton embroidery 315 x 400mm $600

Description

Erana James
Ka mua, ka muri
Woollen blanket & Cotton embroidery
315 x 400mm
$600

Kia ora, ko Erana ahau. One of the greatest gifts my pāpā left with me was a simple but powerful saying: “You were born with eyes in the front of your head, not the back.” As a child, I didn’t fully understand the depth of those words, but as I have grown, they have become a guiding light in my life. To my pāpā, this meant remembering where I come from without allowing my past to determine where I am going. It meant carrying the stories, sacrifices, and strength of my tūpuna with pride while keeping my eyes fixed on the future. He taught me to stand tall in my identity, to embrace my whakapapa, and to never forget the people whose footsteps created the path I walk today. This artwork is an expression of that kōrero. It is a reflection on remembrance, resilience, and hope. It acknowledges those who came before us—their struggles, their wisdom, their aroha, and their dreams. Their presence lives within us through our whakapapa, connecting us across generations. At the same time, this work speaks to moving forward. Like our tūpuna who looked beyond the horizon in search of new beginnings, we too are called to look ahead with courage and determination. Our past shapes us, but it does not confine us. We honour our history by continuing to grow, to dream, and to create a brighter future for those who will come after us. This piece is dedicated to my pāpā and to all those who have guided us along the way. It is a reminder to hold fast to who we are, to walk proudly in our Māoritanga, and to move forward with hope in our hearts. Ka mua, ka muri — we walk backwards into the future, carrying the wisdom of our past while keeping our focus on what lies ahead.