Whanaungatanga Atawhai Kaitiakitanga Ako

Whanaungatanga Atawhai Kaitiakitanga Ako by Jesse Harte Art commands attention through its bold circular composition, where five students sit facing outward in a traditional Māori waka rendered in deep red and carved detail. The mural anchors itself to the plywood surface on which it is painted, designed to withstand Wellington's weather while maintaining visual presence across the landscape.

Layered text in te reo Māori curves across the composition, flowing through a dynamic sky rendered in purple, magenta, and orange. Above, stylized clouds billow in shades of coral and cream, their soft forms contrasting sharply with the geometric patterns of the landscape below. The students' figures emerge in naturalistic tones against this vibrant backdrop, their attention directed toward a horizon composed of deep blue, green, and purple forms that suggest water and distant landforms.

The mural's figurative and contemporary approach unfolds through careful color gradation—warm tones dominate the upper register while cooler blues and purples ground the composition at its base. The carved wooden vessel itself, rendered in rich red-brown with ornamental detail, frames the human subjects and anchors them within a cultural and navigational context. The work integrates seamlessly with the wooden fence structure that holds it, creating a cohesive public installation in Wellington.