Concre[ā]te

concre[ā]te is an exhibition that showcases large-scale mixed-media artwork crafted by the artist duo 2PARU, made up of Tui Kayoko Hirabayashi and Marie Hemo Titi Mapa. Both artists draw inspiration from the ever-evolving cityscape of Tāmaki Makaurau and its seemingly ever-present civic construction. They embody a multifaceted approach to artistic expression, through which construction and art becomes hybridised – fusing painting, installation, and sculpture into an exploration of urban narratives.

Informed by their urban-indigenous perspectives, 2PARU employ a meticulous process of material selection and manipulation, using found materials including stucco, spray paint, timber, and ply. These materials serve as both the medium and the message, as the layered matter stem from several visual references, including abstract gestural mark-making, tagging, graffiti, poster design, roadside materials, and billboard design.

As cities get built and re-built in a cyclic manner, 2PARU use gradual and laborious processes of mark-making, manufacturing, and reworking, to mirror this pattern, while using unconventional forms that challenge the norms of a planned, rational city.

concre[ā]te serves as a platform for the artists to shed light on marginalised narratives, underground movements, and indigenous perspectives often overlooked or undermined in mainstream discourse. In the disconnect between Te Hau Kapua – Devonport and the rest of Tāmaki Makaurau, the exhibition sparks dialogue about the intersection of indigenous identity and contemporary urban life. It questions colonial structures and highlights the cultural traditions rooted in the city’s landscape, offering a glimpse into a reality where indigenous values and street styles are at the forefront.

concre[ā]te is a catalyst for conversation, an ode to the vibrancy of Tāmaki Makaurau, and a celebration of expanding cultural capability and resilience.