to let the light in

Inspired by the Māori creation story describing the sacrifices made by the earth mother, Papatūānuku and her lover, the sky, Ranginui. Between the two lovers’ embrace, was an expansive darkness cast over the earths surface. There was no hope for the flourishing life of flora and fauna we know of today, the only life was that of their children. In sacrifice of their union, the two lovers were peeled apart by their son Tāne, the incredible Kauri tree, to shine light upon the earth surface. 

To let the light in, is in intimate and empathic visualisation of the sacrifice that Ranginui and Papatūānuku made for all the life upon the our prosperous Earth. 

In the making of these images, I connected to analog photography, as the foundational element is light. This opened a gateway to lumen prints and pinhole cameras for my practice. Refining my understanding of photography to be a tactile art allowed room for physical elements of this story to come to life. Evident in contact prints of leaves, and condensing of light. 

As the series develops, the trees grow up, and our eyes adjust to the light, we are marvelled at how intensely compelling the lovers’ sacrifice is. 

2020.