“I Never Ceded” - And neither will my mokopuna, nor will their mokopuna thereafter, for we are Māori and we are the descendants of many chiefs. This protest piece emerges from the ongoing debate surrounding Māori sovereignty. Much like Josh’s “Speak Te Reo Māori” piece, this artwork serves as a powerful statement against those who seek to undermine our native language and cultural identity, standing as a symbol of resistance and resilience. "I had to channel my frustrations into this artwork—art is a form of protest and expression that artists should embrace. I had been denying myself the opportunity to speak out, to express my thoughts as well as those of my tūpuna, who never ceded sovereignty. We, their mokopuna, carry on that legacy." The figure depicted is not a specific ariki (chief) but represents all chiefs. The words he embodies resonate through his very being, which is why they flow across his body. He holds ‘He Whakaputanga’ (the Declaration of Independence) closely, symbolizing his independence and kotahitanga (unity) alongside those who declared their sovereignty to the ao (world). Josh offers this open edition print in two colors: a beautiful earthy red (taken from the red in the ‘He Whakaputanga’ flag) and an earthy grey tone. May we reflect on this artwork and consider how we view sovereignty and what it means to us.
