Ashleigh Zimmerman, Tikitiki o Taranga (BLACK & WHITE 2024)

This autobiographical series is based on my experience with infertility. I was particularly taken by the purakau of Taranga during Maui's birth. In her grief of giving birht to Maui as still born, she waded into the ocean, cut off her tikitiki (top knot) and wrapped him in it. She then gifted Maui to Tangaroa (Ocean atua). This series explores the deep weight of this action on Taranga that I identify with as a woman. This silent grief is something that I have experienced and many other woman often mamae about.

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