The Ancient Art Of Maori Wood Carving | Handmade In The Pacific

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Documentary series which gives viewers a rare and intimate insight into the creative processes and cultural significance of traditional artefacts in Australia, Rurutu, New Zealand and Hawaii.

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From "Handmade In The Pacific"

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[rotties-rules]

I really enjoyed how this artist not only told his story but the way he was educating the listeners on the significance of Maori design as well as explaining what each Maori word means rather than just saying them so thank you, next time I'm in NZ I'll look out for his gallery.

[StephiSensei]

Beautiful. When I first saw (heard) the chainsaw, I thought "Hmm, chainsaw. Is this going to be a folksy-artsy-craftsy kind of documentary?" But, that was shortsighted of me. What our Maori Artist is doing, is completely in line with sculpture / carving, be it wood or stone. One needs to "Rough Cut" the work first. Details come later. Only someone who has held a chisel in their hands and worked with it for hours, days and months, can appreciate the tactile feeling of putting life into an inanimate object. As bits of it slowly fall and fly away, bits of yourself enter the object. It's a trade off, the living material surrenders its power to the artist, as it captures the artist's soul. They become one. This is why the respect shown to the tree, must be admired. We are all one. Beautiful. Thank you.

[missyboyd-morris]

Every time I go to Taupō I know I am home! My grandmother lived in Waitahanui, and we visited her every school holiday!
❤ Taupō ❤

[mdude]

It's nice to see artists in touch with their cultural heritage (Maori in this particular one's case) and wanting to share it with the world.

[davidchang]

Fine art is not only expressing the physical. It gets in touch with the spiritual, the unseen aspect of this natural world that when we sincerely connect with it always reveals something we can enjoy, learn from & adapt to our cultures. This gives meaning to our varied existence.

[staceybloomfield]

I'm a cookislanders but Maoris are the best Carver's hands down!

[loveisthekey]

I loved every part of this documentary

[whanua]

as an Indonesian i was really amazed with our older brother far south, they take care authenticity pretty well, and teach us about who we are before everything, he said Maori language are not a written language, the same thing happened here too we have invaded alot because of geopolitic, our writing system were Sanskrit because old India that introduces us how to read and write, then Islam damage our value, mana, philosophy, the Christian damage more and make things even harder, japan occupation, etc, we have to be stronger and hold on austronesian value, I really want to show our wood carving art too, we still have it, Sumatrans, Borneo, Celebes even Bali, that ppl didn't know because of stereotype about hinduism/islamism/asianism, I wish we have exhibition far down south to introduced the north Austronesian art, keep rocking guys, forever your value must not dead 💪

EDIT:
- from your brother that are stuck at North Whanua (Malay archipelago)

[Colton]

It’s amazing to see the end come, but without the traditional tools, part of the heritage is left behind.

[chiseled_maori]

Awesome brutha! Inspiring to say the least. ❤ chur

[paul]

Listening to you speak your truth about your carving you make me proud My Bro Aroha ❤️🙏🖐️

[philthy]

Amazing craftsmanship, tho I would like to see actual pre European tools used, I understand that time factor would be increased and some detail lost, but replicating carvings made using ponamu and volcanic stone adze would be very impressive.

[adamkihi]

Just to add, Waiata, Whakapapa, and Karakia, Himene. Were also a way of singing of our peoples history. Laments of love, Haka of war. Our traditional USB devices. And Rua-i-te-Pupuke was the Grandson of Tangaroa. His son was Toi, who used his fathers fish hook without his father knowing. And the rest is research and revise e hoa. Absolutely Great Work.

[adasobieszczuk]

It’s a nice peace of work I wish I had a chisel 😊❤
How did you see the arm and body😂😊😅

[turuff]

Some people in the comments just don't know or understand it's pretty sad 🥺🤭😂

[Jer-Michael]

I’ve been carving a while now.. wondering if any veteran carvers have any wisdom or knowledge to transfer down? Appreciate your time

[jeffyoung]

interested to know what type of wood the Pou was made of...?

[craigusher]

whats the name of this guy, great work

[Hawthorn-nz]

I wasn't expecting an Elvis Presley! Was he from NZ?

[pamelaroebuck]

I love when he spoke of seeing what he was to carve. The wood tells it's own story. I am a carver of mythological stories. My medium is mostly cypress knees. Often times the wood will tell me the name of the piece before I see it. I love the spirit of the wood. This was a lovely