Renee Cosgrave

Renee Cosgrave
Irish, Māori and Scottish descent, of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi, born 1986; lives and works in Naarm/Melbourne

Toi Rārangi 2022
oil on canvas
Courtesy of the artist

Artist statement:

Toi Rārangi means line art in Te Reo Māori (language). During lockdowns in Naarm/Melbourne I was unable to paint, and instead I learnt raranga (Māori weaving) online. I could see a relationship between my paintings and the methodology used in raranga, where rhythm, pace and feeling relaxed are important. It felt powerful to follow the same actions as my ancestors.

When I returned to the studio I began making a new series of works inspired by raranga, titled Toi Rārangi. This painting considers the whenu (weaving strips). The colours are selected randomly and one line is applied at a time.

This work is dedicated to my late friend and mentor John Nixon, who encouraged me to make a large oil painting and enter the Geelong Contemporary Art Prize.