Hastings Boys' High School
Artist in Residence
Why Pita?
Pita Kire is an old boy of Hastings Boys' High and completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Hawkes Bay EIT in 2000. He has been involved in many local exhibitions and commissions and is a great role model for Māori students.
Artists in Schools Project
To paint a mural in the Hastings Boys' School Library, depicting the legend of Tawhaki and the knowledge he gained in climbing to heaven.
Making the Canvas
Gap student sanding routed joints.
| Technical staff helped with wood and canvas frame construction
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Language Development
| Class Set of Booklets 
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Stage 1 Research Topic
- Research space and place for the mural
- Read and study the different versions of the legend e.g. Ngati Kahungunu
- Resource Personnel - EIT Māori Dept, Toi Maitarangi, Kahungunu Kaumatua, Librarians
- Drawing - resources: canvas, pencils, paint
Research
Books
- Rockwell, N. America ISBN 0-8109-0454-3
- Eschenfelder, C. Masters of Italian Art ISBN 3-8290-0256-4
- Blackley, R. Goldie ISBN 1-86953-340-2
- Te Awekotuku, N., Nikora, L. Mau Moko ISBN 978-0-67-004561-7
- Gossage, P. Puhi Huia and Pongo ISBN 1-86948-502-5
- Gossage, P. How Maui Defied the Goddess of Death ISBN 1-86948-574-2
Video
- Genesis perform Ahorangi. This video is held in the Hastings Library.
Developmental drawings
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Composition - selection of canvas images
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Attacking the empty canvas
| The start | The space to fill! |
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Work room
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Enlarging drawings to full scale on canvas
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Composition and first paint layer
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Painting process
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Students watch and admire
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Student involvement
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The legend unfolds, canvas by canvas
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All twelve of them
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Then the details are added, regenerated and resolved
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Language development
Language departments are challenged to rewrite the legend in modern languages. Pita did a written summary of the meaning and ideas underpinning each canvas.
Students study and make language and art using the artwork as a source of motivation
Students will rewrite the legend in Māori, English and other languages illustrated by students' art.
Student drawings and illustrations
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The finished mural
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What was gained and by whom?
The school
- A mural pertinent to the school and its large Māori population.
- Written work and illustrations to support literacy.
- Raising the profile of art within the school community.
The students
- A role model for all students especially Māori boys.
- A source of inspiration for senior art students.
- Motivation to develop and extend ideas into new work.
The Artist
- Confidence to handle bigger projects.
- Personal growth in art and tikanga.
- Development of personal relationships, media exposure and artistic profile.
The Community
- The intellectual /academic discussion based on contemporary application of the legend to Māori learning.
- Future focus for Māori education.