Pegasus Post: February 29, 2024

Thursday February 29 2024 3
Toki sculpture comes full circle
• By Sasha Watson
IT’S FULL circle for both
artist Jon Jeet and his He Toki
Maitai sculpture, which has
been permanently placed on the
former New Brighton School site.
The 2.2m-tall steel toki (axe),
originally completed in 2022, is
displayed next to the Roy Stokes
Community Hall, on the site
where Seaview Development will
be building 65 homes.
“Wow – what
a journey it has
been,” said Jeet,
who lives close
to the toki’s final
resting place.
“I like that it
has gone back
Jon Jeet
to the site where
I was creating
pieces in my
JOURNEY: Jon Jeet drew inspiration for the sculpture from his Indian, Fijian and Māori ancestors as well as the Seaview
Development rebuild of the earthquake-damaged site.
art studio, which was at the old
school.
“The piece takes me back to
building relations with Renew
New Brighton and the many,
many artists who were there.”
The toki was commissioned
by SCAPE Public Art, after
Jamie Hanton, then the managing
curator, approached Jeet in
response to the theme Sweat
Equity, where different artists
explored the effect of capital and
labour on bodies.
Jeet drew inspiration from
his Indian ancestors who were
brought to Fiji as indentured labourers.
The work also references
the former school being in the
process of redevelopment.
“The earthquakes happened
and I wanted to make a work that
talked about ‘we’re ploughing into
the soil again’. A part of the inspiration
for the design was asking
myself, why am I making this?”
Jeet is also of Ngāti Maniapoto
descent. Traditionally, Māori
shaped and used toki for several
purposes, from gardening to
wood carving. They could also
be carried ceremonially as a
symbol of power and authority.
“We wear these forms now, but
they had functionality too. They
were used as tools,” he said.
Jeet said there were “so many
people involved” to get the art to
where it is.
“Thanks to Leigh Mason, the
Coombes sheet metal and fabrication
director, for assistance in the
initial construction and donating
the $20,000 it cost to make, and to
all, for their support.”
The last $7000 was funded
by SCAPE. Executive director
Richard Aindow said it was exciting
to bring Jeet’s work to New
Brighton.
“SCAPE’s vision is to bring
permanent artworks to life in
communities across the whole
city. It’s immensely satisfying to
install a piece where the artist
lives and works.”
Jeet has a master’s degree in
painting from Canterbury University’s
Ilam School of Fine Arts
PHOTOS: MIKE
HANSEN
and has taught widely.
He Toki Maitai, which
translates as “beautiful toki
or foreign/steel toki”, was on
temporary display at Te Matatiki
Toi Ora The Arts Centre.
• To celebrate the
unveiling of the project,
a community event will
be held from 2pm at 144
Seaview Rd on Sunday,
with refreshments to
follow at the New Brighton
Museum
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