JIMMY JAMES KOURATORAS HEI TIKI AROHA
FRONT ROOM EXHIBITION
ABOUT THE ARTIST Jimmy James Kouratoras is an Auckland-based artist whose work depicts a rich, almost decadent examination of contemporary culture. His artwork has received critical acclaim both at home and internationally, winning the People’s Choice Award at the 2016 Brisbane Contemporary Art Prize and was selected as a finalist for the National Contemporary Art Prize in 2017. Kouratoras’ work is heavily influenced by his Māori and Greek heritage – two different cosmologies bound together to create works that beautifully reflect narratives of whakapapa. Over the past 25 years, the artist has developed his unique style of layering texture and imagery along with using vivid pop colour combinations, representing the connections between the past, present, and future.
HEI TIKI AROHA – EXHIBITION Thursday 4th - 31st August, 2022 The Hei Tiki Aroha collection draws upon the themes of unconditional love, the highest vibrational form that invites all living things to come together in communion. Healing is a key element in this collection whether through invocation or prayer, through service and serving, or creating space to carve out intentional connection to our wairua and higher self.
“Much more than a hybrid or fusion, but a deliberate layering of story and truth that will reveal itself to the beholder through a series of vibrant textures” – Jimmy James Kouratoras
Hei Tiki - Aroha Mai Aroha Atu Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 76 x 101.5cm $18,000
In this painting, I invoke the proverb “Aroha mai Aroha Atu”. Love toward us, love going out from us and imagine the freedoms of universal knowledge flowing through our human fabric. We are indeed stardust and our celestial beings ourselves, glowing like the stars that gift us life and memories and visions and stories.
Hei Tiki - This is Love Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 76 x 101.5cm $18,000
In this painting, I play with the traditional whakatauki, “although it is small, it is precious” and draw attention to the most precious exchange of them all: LOVE. Here you will find all facets of this multi-dimensional experience, love written and love drawn and love painted, and it shines through with harmony, joy and peace.
Hei Tiki - Matariki Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 91 x 122cm $20,000
Hei Tiki Matariki is part of the Hei Tiki Harakeke collection inspired by the traditional weaving fibres of the flax plant and how these contribute to creating living, breathing and moving stories. This painting celebrates the rise of the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) and heralds the Māori New Year. In the waha (mouth) of the Hei Tiki the stars shine bright, weaving together the past, present and future.
Hei Tiki - Love Love Love Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 91 x 122cm $20,000
In this painting, I explore my deep and ongoing love-relationship with nature and how this creates a sense of peace both within me but also in how I move through life. It also functions as a way-maker for peace and continues to grow a love for people and connection.
Hei Tiki - Kiki Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 76 x 101.5cm $18,000
In this painting, I explore a magical connection between the present and the past and how sometimes the different characters in our very being love to come and remind us that we all are connected to each other through our many parts and personalities. We’re not only connected in our present realities but also our past and future realities that are all existing at the same time.
Love & Karakia Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 76 x 101.5cm $18,000
In this painting, angels and ancestors surround the cosmos with eternal love. A guiding light takes precedence and creates multiple reflections, shadows and mirrors highlighting the various words that honour both papatuanuku our mother earth, but also our own eternal light.
Hei Tiki - Aorangi Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 91 x 122cm $20,000
In this painting, I focus on what it would be like to have peace wished upon our Universe. There is a vibrant matrix of landscapes and cultures heavily populated with vibrations and healings, cradled against a backdrop of stars and prayer. Te aorangi the universe is a star born of stars and this karakia honours the gifts of peace, love, joy and truth bestowed upon papatuanuku, our mother earth.
Hei Tiki - Gathering Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 76 x 101.5cm $18,000
In this painting, I embrace the opportunity to explore movement by charting a dance from the earth to the stars. The constellations and celestial bodies that fire up the sky are always an inspiration and serve as a continual reminder of how our past, present and futures are intertwined together as we celebrate the fullness of life in each moment and eternity.
Karakia - A Gift of Love Acrylic & metal flake with matte finish on canvas 76 x 101.5cm $18,000
In this painting, I invoke a karakia written by Dr Rangimarie Pere. Interestingly, I had come upon this karakia in her book ‘Te Wheke’ before I met her - and over time we grew to be great friends. This karakia has deeply influenced my thinking of the ways of wairua Māori and te ao Māori by facilitating a pathway to explore abstract landscapes through prayer.
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