Monoprints with Acrylic Paint
These artworks are a continuation of the series of lessons exploring the Māori creation story. In this lesson the students responded to the states that occur at the beginning of creation, Te Kore, Te Pō and Te Ao (The Nothingness, The Great Darkness and The Light). As the light enters the world the story of Ranginui (Sky Father), Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) and their children begins.
In the creation story, Ranginui and Papatūānuku grasped each other tightly in a loving embrace, their children squashed between them in darkness. One day the children decided that they would push their parents apart to allow light into the world and life on earth to begin, the state of Te Ao Marama.
Many of the children tried to separate Ranginui and Papatūānuku but it was Tāne Mahuta, god of the forest, who succeeded. He pushed his parents apart with his strong legs and let the light burst into the world.
After listening to the story of creation the students created monoprints by exploring colours, shapes and movements that represented Te Ao Marama, the world of life and light. They used brushes, cotton buds, sponges, paint scrapers, and ink rollers to create their explorative monoprints.
They made multiple prints and chose their favourite for display as Te Ao Marama, an impression of the world of light and life. The other prints were used to create a portrayal of the moments when Te Pō (The Great Darkness) cracked and broke as Te Ao (The Light) enters the world.
For this artwork they painted Indian ink over one of their prints, taking time to think about what sort of shapes they might see as the light broke through the darkness. I also encouraged them to observe their print to look for lines or shapes that they could naturally follow when painting.
I taught this lesson to multiple classes of children, all aged between 7-11 years. Monoprinting gave the students freedom to respond to their learning about Te Pō and Te Ao in unique and conceptual ways. I was impressed by the range of ideas and artistic responses across the age levels.
I had the idea to join multiple classes artworks together to create a large mural. I love how the black lines pulsate, dance and swirl across the mural to depict the ending of Te Pō. The glimpses of the bright colours underneath peak though, inching their way out into the word to signify the arrival of Te Ao Marama, The World of Light and Life.
