KELVINGROVE: TAU-RAPA WAKA-TAUA

Many exhibits in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum can't be squeezed into some narrow definition of culture, faith, religion or spirituality, but they still have much to show us and tell us about all those things. Certainly, Kelvingrove’s exhibits are not limited to those traditions or lifesyles which can be found in conspicuous numbers in Glasgow - as is demonstrated by this piece.

This elaborate wooden carving once decorated the back of a Maori war canoe. The details are symbols of the Maori creation story.

Stem of war canoe – Tau-rapa waka-taua – Maori, New Zealand