June Grant, Lewis Gardiner, Tim Paul

Moon Mothers: Keepers of Knowledge is a cross-cultural exhibition featuring Māori artists June Northcroft Grant and Lewis Gardiner from Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Nuu-chah-nulth artist Tim Paul from Canada.

The exhibition is dedicated to the teachings and philosophies of the Clan Mothers — an international council of 13 indigenous grandmothers who represent a global alliance of prayer, education and healing on the environment and for survival in the changing world. The wisdom and history of this organization is captured in the book The 13 Original Clan Mothers by Jamie Sams (Harper Collins Publisher).

Māori artist June Northcroft Grant began a series of 13 paintings honoring the Clan Mothers while completing an artist-in-residence program at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Olympia, Washington, USA. Her vision for the exhibition required another artist from a different tribal background to artistically interpret their wisdom and Nuu-chah-nulth artist Tim Paul was invited to participate. Tim, an artist renowned for his artworks on the moon cycles and contemporary environmental issues, has produced 13 small sculptures that mirror his cultural perspective on the Clan Mothers. Māori artist Lewis Gardiner was also invited to reflect his interpretation by producing a series of 13 small intimate sculptures that capture the essence of the Clan Mothers in the sacred pounamu jade.

Monday, June 7, 2010: Congratulations to June Grant for being recognized with the Queen’s Birthday Honours. June Grant has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) “for services to Māori art and Māori.”