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| "Ngunguru" Linocut by Toni Hartill Edition of 15 |
"Ngunguru"
"Ngunguru Sandspit is an area of significant cultural
and ecological value and includes coastal and estuarine environments. It is
home to multiple species of threatened flora and fauna and many migratory birds
including the Poaka or Pied Stilt. The spit itself was recently at threat of
development until the majority of it was secured by the Crown for the public.
There is an ongoing threat that the remainder of the Ngunguru Sandspit area
could still be developed so it is in everyone’s interest to honour, support and
treasure this precious coastal area for future generations." artist statement: Toni Hartill
The Brief:
" "From the Rivers to the Shore" is a collaborative project bringing together artists from the North and South Islands, connecting through bird migrations to local experiences of environment and ecology. Numerous threatened bird species that breed in fragile areas such as the braided river beds and estuaries of the South Island to warmer areas in the north, and parts of Australia. This project aims to use multiple views of the birds, habitats and migration experiences to draw attention to the threats and challenges that these species face." Celia Walker.
When I was invited to take part in this project by printmaker Celia Walker, I wanted to choose a particular location that I had a personal connection with and to use it as an opportunity to highlight the particular challenges that the site and its natural flora and fauna have to contend with, including as a stop over for the many migratory birds that pass on through.
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| "Ngunguru" by Toni Hartill Edition of 15. |
It was an easy choice to focus on "Ngunguru", a coastal spit and estuarine settlement about 20 minutes drive north of Whangarei as it is where my brother lives and we are very familiar and connected to the whole area. Through this project I hope that perhaps people might search Ngunguru on google earth to find out where it is and to find out about its interesting and valuable history. Perhaps they might take a moment, while on holiday, to look more closely and to think about some of the issues facing the area, and how they, personally, might have an impact on the environment, for good or for bad.
First things first though: how to pronounce the name correctly, click HERE.
By the way,
Ngunguru means to make a continued dull sound, growl (suppressed), grunt, rumble.
(http://maoridictionary.co.nz/word/4684)
A perfect example of onomatopoeia don't you think!
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| Site of urupa on Ngunguru Sandspit. |
Within Ngunguru Sandspit are sites of historical and cultural significance including midden, a battle field, urupa (burial site) and a pa (fortified settlement).
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| "Ngunguru" detail by Toni Hartill Site of urupa, and raised sandbank with oystercatcher birds. (Look closely!) |
I chose to focus my attention on the elegant Poaka or Pied Stilt, a bird which is common in coastal areas and wetlands throughout New Zealand and is often seen alongside Oystercatchers, a real favourite of mine for their comical and cheeky behaviour and rich black and red colouring.
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| "Ngunguru" detail by Toni Hartill Poaka - Pied Stilt |
I also wanted to reference the mangroves and the tidal nature of the estuary.
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| "Ngunguru", detail by Toni Hartill Mangroves |
As referred to in my artist statement Ngunguru Sandspit was very much under threat of development as has been the fate of so many of our coastal environments. To read a timeline of the events that finally lead to the announcement in August 2011 that the Crown had secured most of the sandspit for the public click HERE.
For more information:
Many people care for and seek to protect the Ngunguru environment and can be connected with through websites and facebook pages eg.
To see lots of beautiful photography and to get a real insight
into the flora and fauna of the area go to
the facebook page of NZ diver, writer, researcher Wade Doak
and explore through his photo albums.
To read more about the Poaka of Ngunguru, by Wade Doak visit HERE.
To read more about the Poaka of Ngunguru, by Wade Doak visit HERE.
For an informative educational document all about the estuaries of Northland:
"Northland's Coast and Us - Our Estuaries"
Exhibition installation at
The Depot Artspace, Devonport, Auckland.
Opens Saturday July 29th 2-3.30pm
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| The Depot Artspace, Devonport, Auckland, NZ |
From the Rivers to the Shore was exhibited at
Arts in Oxford gallery in Canterbury: 10th of June - 18th of July 2017;
Opens at
Moves to:
No. 1 Parnell gallery in Rawene, Northland: 2nd September - 13 October, 2017.
DEMO
On Sunday August 16th I presented a printmaking demo at The Depot Artspace, sharing some of the ways I use a Dremel tool in my work, among other things. It was very well attended by a mix of beginners and seasoned printmakers and there were plenty of questions to keep me on my toes. Although I was initially somewhat "freaked" at the thought of standing up in front of so many people, of unknown expertise, I soon found my groove and the hour and a half flew by. Judging by the many questions and the people that stayed on afterwards to quiz me further, it was well received.
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| "Ngunguru" by Toni Hartill Edition of 15 |
Thanks for visiting!
Hope you can now pin-point Ngunguru on the map
and that you get to enjoy
its natural beauty
for always!
