Once again Little River Gallery is honoured to host the trio of artists Robin Slow, Brian Flintoff and Bob Bickerton. The three close friends work collaboratively, inspiring one another in their artistic endeavours.

Slow’s paintings are rich stories of Whenua, Waka journeys to Aotearoa, of Manu, Honu, Tohora and their Kaitiaki.

Flintoff is renowned for his musical instruments carved from native timbers, bone and shell. His carvings are inspired by the same stories that inform Slow’s work.

Bickerton creates a contemplative visual and aural catalogue of the combined outcomes using his musical skills and those of Ariana Tikao, Holly Tikao-Weir, Solomon Rahui.

The great boundary of calm at or on the distant horizon, the place that is held in the mind is beyond, always out of reach, untouchable. Te Pātū-nui-o-aiō is the place of mists and time the great navigators and travellers came from. From the land we look back, look beyond to this horizon and as we shift our eyes, we shift the view or perspective.

From the land we look back, look beyond to this horizon and as we shift our eyes, we shift the view or perspective. We see the great heavens of Ranginui with its myriad of tipuna stars each holding a history to tell. We hear the putaratara sound-ing, connecting and binding one realm with another. The manu connect with their flight and song, crossing the boundaries and rising above or standing still, grasping, holding firmly.

The story is told of Rehua, seen in the night sky, gifting Tane his younger brother, manu and the food for these from his hair. Tane took these to add to the korowai he created for their mother Papatuanuku. This was for the covering of the land. The manu with the crickets and locusts became the original inhabitants and songsters.

Ka ngaro reoreotangata kikī manu.

No human voices, only the twittering of birds.