Shane Cotton

Abstract

"'He Pukapuka Tuatahi' (The First Book) is part of a sequence known as the Kenehi or Genesis paintings from 1998-2002. These paintings marked a major shift in Cotton's style from the earlier architectural-scaffolding works (freighted with a history of land confiscations, mapping and renaming), to darker, more clearly defined images that are harsher and even more beautiful. Rich inky blacks, reminiscent of Ralph Hotere (with whom Cotton shares a Northland legacy), the earthly red of tukutuku, an urban camouflage in shades of grey and black, and traditional Maori carving are forms, colours and concepts deeply embedded in our cultural psyche."