Paintings on Tapa Cloth (2008 - Current)

Tuffery draws emphasis to the cultural importance of food and feasting in Pacific societies and the relationships created from these celebratory occasions that are vitally important to the maintaining of traditional Pacific cultures. Recycled Rennell Asiasi Tasi is included in Tuffery's "Tangaroa's Garden" exhibition currently on at the Salamander Gallery, The Arts Centre, Christchurch - 12th to 31st October 2010.

Tuffery draws emphasis to the cultural importance of food and feasting in Pacific societies and the relationships created from these celebratory occasions that are vitally important to the maintaining of traditional Pacific cultures. Recycled Rennell Asiasi Lua is included in Tuffery's "Tangaroa's Garden" exhibition currently on at the Salamander Gallery, The Arts Centre, Christchurch - 12th to 31st October 2010.

‘Ngaio Tui series began in 2003 after Tuffery returned from a project in Mysore, India, while there he visited a sanctuary for the sacred cattle and immediately made reference to the familiar environment of home, Aotearoa – New Zealand. Observing the successful urban breeding program initiated by Karori Sanctuary, Wellington for re-establishing endemic bird species such as Tui, Tieke (Saddleback) and Kereru alongside re-introducing native flora species. This series of paintings on Tapa cloth (made traditionally made from hand-beaten Mulberry tree bark) continues to subtly reflect his long held environmental concerns.

‘Ngaio Tui series began in 2003 after Tuffery returned from a project in Mysore, India, while there he visited a sanctuary for the sacred cattle and immediately made reference to the familiar environment of home, Aotearoa – New Zealand. Observing the successful urban breeding program initiated by Karori Sanctuary, Wellington for re-establishing endemic bird species such as Tui, Tieke (Saddleback) and Kereru alongside re-introducing native flora species. This series of paintings on Tapa cloth (made traditionally made from hand-beaten Mulberry tree bark) continues to subtly reflect his long held environmental concerns.

‘Ngaio Tui series began in 2003 after Tuffery returned from a project in Mysore, India, while there he visited a sanctuary for the sacred cattle and immediately made reference to the familiar environment of home, Aotearoa – New Zealand. Observing the successful urban breeding program initiated by Karori Sanctuary, Wellington for re-establishing endemic bird species such as Tui, Tieke (Saddleback) and Kereru alongside re-introducing native flora species. This series of paintings on Tapa cloth (made traditionally made from hand-beaten Mulberry tree bark) continues to subtly reflect his long held environmental concerns.

Te Raekiahau translates to ‘headland that eats the wind’ this translation is what Tuffery was responding to in this series of paintings. There are many interpretations of Tangaroa throughout the Pacific yet all consistently acknowledge his values which were of an environmental nature e.g. in the Cook Islands it is known that a figurine of ‘Tangaroa’ is lashed to the prow of fishing canoes for a multitude of reasons which include obtaining Tangaroa’s protection and favour, seeking his blessing for a bountiful catch and offering respect for his environment – the oceans. Tangaroa at Te Raekiahau Point Tasi is included in Tuffery's "Tangaroa's Garden" exhibition currently on at the Salamander Gallery, The Arts Centre, Christchurch - 12th to 31st October 2010.

Te Raekiahau translates to ‘headland that eats the wind’ this translation is what Tuffery was responding to in this series of paintings. There are many interpretations of Tangaroa throughout the Pacific yet all consistently acknowledge his values which were of an environmental nature e.g. in the Cook Islands it is known that a figurine of ‘Tangaroa’ is lashed to the prow of fishing canoes for a multitude of reasons which include obtaining Tangaroa’s protection and favour, seeking his blessing for a bountiful catch and offering respect for his environment – the oceans. Tangaroa at Te Raekiahau Point Lua is included in Tuffery's "Tangaroa's Garden" exhibition currently on at the Salamander Gallery, The Arts Centre, Christchurch - 12th to 31st October 2010.

Te Raekiahau translates to ‘headland that eats the wind’ this translation is what Tuffery was responding to in this series of paintings. There are many interpretations of Tangaroa throughout the Pacific yet all consistently acknowledge his values which were of an environmental nature e.g. in the Cook Islands it is known that a figurine of ‘Tangaroa’ is lashed to the prow of fishing canoes for a multitude of reasons which include obtaining Tangaroa’s protection and favour, seeking his blessing for a bountiful catch and offering respect for his environment – the oceans.