The teka tika continuum

910 x 1210mm, Acrylic on canvas

 

Teka is lying, lies or being false. Tika is completely and wholly the opposite, it is to be true—someone with integrity. I noticed the subtle difference in these words and the first word on this picture is TEKA, but it is trying to disguise itself by trying to make the E look like an I. A classic move for someone who is not being true. The other words along the way to the bottom to the resolute TIKA, are words that move from a place of great unpleasantness, changing to being true – or to a place of integrity. The other thing I noticed is that you can be quite popular when you are not as you appear to be, whereas, having integrity can be a lonely, and unpopular place to be. For example, the use of the word E! close to the TEKA at the top, can be used as an interjection to show admiration for something someone has done. Think of those classic bullies, that no one stands-up to and they are encouraged from the side lines by others. Doing nothing about injustices, makes you an accomplice. At the other end of the continuum there is the word AU, which means: me, I, myself. I put this here, because sometimes showing integrity is very lonely and others can turn on you.

 

The other words are:

Whakaiti: to belitte

Makihuhunu: to take an unfair advantage of someone

Whakapōhēhē: deceitful, dishonest, misleading

Papepape: false, to be wrong

Hē: to be wrong, mistaken, something handled incorrectly

Whakarerekē: to change, to recognise, amend

Piripono: loyal, faithful

Pai: to be good

Ngākau pono: sincere, integrity

Pūmau: constant, fixed, true, enduring

Ngākau tapatahi: fair, even handed, impartial

Tūturu: permanent, to be fixed, real, authentic