New Zealand Artist: Rachel Rakena

http://www.inza.co.nz/RR_home.htm

Mihi Aroha, 2002
Rachel Rakena
In Mihi Aroha, email messages Rachael received after her mother's death run down the walls of the whare like tears…

Rachel Rakena mixes the influences of her cultural background, the natives of New Zealand—Maori, within her video art and installations. She taps into personal elements that affect her and of her understanding with the Maori culture. Rachel emphasizes on such things like lucid motions of water, swimming and dance, and the creation of “installation environments." She adds a sort of “freshness” to video art installations because of her strong inclination towards water and her connection with the Maori’s. She currently teaches in Maori Visual Art Studies at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand.


Just as a side note…Does anyone remember the book the Island of the Blue Dolphins? Do you remember the movie Whale Rider? Both are beautiful stories and her work reminds me of them.