Ashleigh Zimmerman, Wharengaro (ART 2024)

This series is informed by my own experiences of loss and infertility. The intimate relationship that wahine have with their body can often be a place of mamae. These self portraits visualise a journey that we often take on our own, in silence. Using long exposure to capture the mauri in Te Kore. Transient moments of light suggest the brief separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku that provided space for humanity to exist. Framed by darkness, these self portraits question the role of womanhood while facing the fear of being Wharengaro, a ‘broken whare.’ Te Ao Maori recognises the vital role that wahine and te whare tangata have in ensuring that whakapapa is protected. They are given tapu status and have a close relationship to Papatūānuku, the creator of all life. Having spent an extended period as pakoko, I found myself searching for the missing link in the journey to becoming hapu. This self portrait series explores what the future holds for wahine that are Wharengaro. Staring into the kurawaka, seeing yourself as the end of your whakapapa. A reflection of existing between Te Kore and Te Ao Mārama, quietly manifesting into Papa.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.