Inspired by traditional hinaki used by tangata whenua to trap eels. Made in preparation for ‘Manga Maha, Awa Kotahi One River, Many Streams’ Exhibition at Aratoi Museum of Art and History.

This sculpture was a maquette (scale model) used to visualize and test forms and ideas for a larger, full scale hinaki piece.

Māori used a number of nets and pots to catch fish and eels. In the final image, there is a tāruke kōura on the tree– a pot for catching crayfish. On the ground in front of it are a hīnaki (eel trap) and a tītoko ika (hand net). In the background is a kupenga (fishing net).

Reference: Paul Meredith, 'Te hī ika – Māori fishing - Tools, grounds and methods', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand

25cm H x 23cm W x 23cm D Weight: 3kg