Shane Dudley

“This work draws on the form of a tewhatewha – a traditional two-handed Māori weapon.

Traditionally, a tewhatewha would be carved from the wood of the kānuka tree, valued for its strength and durability. In Toru Tewhatewha, however, the surface has been given a rusted steel finish. This gesture references the arrival of the British and the introduction of materials such as steel and copper, which were stronger than many traditional materials and inevitably began to influence the making of weapons and tools.

Running through the blade is a crack, held together with three copper stitches. While steel is often understood as a symbol of strength, this fracture suggests that even the strongest materials carry their own vulnerabilities.

The work incorporates pheasant and peahen feathers, along with four rivets that reference the four stars of the New Zealand flag. Subtly scribed into the blade is the badge of the British Armed Forces, suggesting that the weapon’s owner may have chosen, for reasons unknown, to align with the opposing side. In this way, the work raises a quiet question of allegiance.

Is the owner of this weapon Māori or British? The answer remains deliberately unresolved.” – Shane Dudley

Artist Bio

Shane Dudley’s works draw on both his Pakeha and Maori background, with many pieces highlighting the Mana of the ‘real’ object such as a Huia feather or mere pounamu, of which he makes powerfully enlarged versions.

View full bio