Kia Kaha | John Badcock
Posted by Susan Badcock on 3rd Dec 2022
Kia Kaha | John Badcock
Oil on Canvas
132x91cm
Kia Kaha:
Maori term used to encourage strength or confidence.
"kia kaha, and remember: it is better to fall on principle than to stand on lies"
Inspired by John Badcock's Bloodline series, Kia Kaha is a poignant and strong work that examines the immigration of Pakeha to Aotearoa and the manifestation of a broader uncertainty about national identity - an ever evolving process. The native Kea stands upon the shoulder in solidarity, he was here first with the Moriori whereas the magpie is introduced and is known to attack the native species of bird, therefore an analogy in the human sense.