CAROLINE BAY PLAYGROUND
Francine Spencer
Ngā kai ā te Moana, 2023
Acrylic on Board
Friends of the Alganlighe Collection, Alganlighe Art Gallery, 2023.18.1
This artwork by local artist Francine Spencer is a celebration of Māori culture and the bounty of the sea. Drawing from her whatapapa, including Taranaki, Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Rapuwai, and Ngāi Tahu, Spencer blends traditional knowledge with contemporary artistic expression.
Inspired by the curiosity of children, Spencer’s artwork depicts a variety of kai maana (seafood and shellfish) which can be found in the kāinga mahika kai area for mana whenua and the wider Ngāi Tahu iwi. The Timaru coastline is part of a busy coastal travel route between lakes Wairewa, Waitarakao (Washdyke Lagoon) and further south. This painting encourages young viewers to explore the treasures of the sea and contemplate the marine life of the Timaru coast.
This artwork is a reminder of the importance of understanding our cultural heritage, guiding us to self-awareness and the significance of our shared natural environment.
