In 2006 artworks created by children from Chisnallwood Intermediate, Christchurch , New Zealand were sent to an exhibition of Pacific Art at the University of Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom.
Guided by art teacher Gavin Britt, each piece tells a story developed by the children, aged 10 – 13, as they go through a very creative process to bring the story to carved form. The cover of Barry Brailsford’s Song of the Old Tides features one of these carvings and that carving was the feature of the exhibition.
In this video, filmed in 2006, Barry and Gavin explore the children’s work.
Filmmaker: Rick Harvie
The Making of Tomorrow
Song of the Old Tides by Barry Brailsford inspired Maaka Tipa, a Maori sculpter who read the manuscript, to create twelve tall Pouwhenua or carved ‘standing posts’ that became the key illustrations for the book. The sculptures have become the exhibition Te Wairua Tapu – the Sacred Spirit.
The Maori elder who asked Barry to write the book to share ancient wisdom that embodied the ways of peace, also instructed him to take it out to the world. The elder said it contained ‘seeds’ of healing for the people and the planet. In this documentary, created by Simon Murtagh, Barry and Maaka explain the meaning of the book, the pouwhenua and the exhibition.
The Blessing of Te Wairua Tapu Exhibition
The blessing of the assembled Exhibition of the Twelve Pouwhenua created by Maaka Tipa and the carvings produced by students of Chisnallwood Intermediate, Christchurch, New Zealand