Ka tu te Whare, ka ora
Shane Cotton
Ka tu te whare, ka ora, 1999
oil on canvas
1800 x 1590mm
signed and dated: lower right
Earth tones and misty vistas fill the canvas in Shane Cotton’s 1999 painting Ka tu te whare, ka ora.
The oil on canvas, measuring 1800 x 1590mm, is a significant piece in Cotton’s body of work. It marks evolution in his style as he moved away from sepia-toned backgrounds and began limiting text in later paintings.
Language is an important concept in Ka tu te whare, ka ora. The painting reminds us, however, to view language as both words and images. While the text is set, the imagery allows new elements in the story to be created, as each individual brings their thoughts to the work. The canvas displays dark and muted colours but the title of the work speaks to a strong, positive future with ‘whare’ referring to a house or building and ‘ora’ meaning in good health.
The rich black background of the painting adds depth while the misty blues and greys soften the work. Ochre shades give texture and white is employed as a highlighter sparingly so as not to distract from the painting’s life. The use of horizontal and vertical lines creates frames that at the same time separates and brings unity to the painting.
The very fine and controlled paint application demonstrates Cotton’s artistic skill. This is especially true in the delicate rendering of the rounded forms floating on black which Cotton has given a logo-like quality.
Cotton’s art demands active viewing and viewer involvement in Ka tu te whare, ka ora is paramount to understanding. The painting emphasises duality and contrast as shown in the strong and delicate images, dark and light colours, the mix of imagery and text and ideas of separation and cohesion. The work shows Cotton’s graceful storytelling ability and highlights his importance as an influential New Zealand contemporary artist. (Text by Georgina Barr)