Kauae Raro
Research Collective in Aotearoa
KAUAE RARO
Kauae Raro Research Collective is a community of Māori artists dedicated to sharing their work by looking at land in the context of ceremony, art and medicine. They have a stunning website rich with images, videos and knowledge-sharing.
The collective is dedicated to a sharing comprehensive information about ethically foraging for mineral and botanical pigments and making paint. This is an excellent place to watch how-to videos (presented in both English and Māori versions) and to learn about Māori ochre culture and histories.
How-To Videos: beautiful, clear, free instruction on how to forage, prepare earth color, and make paint.
Profiles of 24 Māori artists who collaborate with soils, silts and clays in their work.
An excellent essay by Nā Sian Montgomery Neutze about gathering earth pigments
This is just the beginning — the entire site is packed with delights to explore. Sarah Hudson, one of the founding members, published a book, Called Mana Whenua that includes work and writing by a number of Māori artists engaging ochre. See below.
