RĀ is a typographic sculpture that explores the enduring relationship between the sun, life, place and people. Drawing from Māori cosmology, the work is inspired by the phrase: te poupoutanga o te rā. The moment Tama-nui-te-rā, the Māori sun god, reaches his highest point in the sky. A time of strength, balance and unwavering presence, it became the conceptual foundation for a sculpture that transforms the word RĀ into a monumental expression of energy and light. Developed in collaboration with Angus Muir Design, the project brings together typography, Māori cosmology, sculpture and sound into a single public installation.

Energy made visible

The letterforms are invigorated with the upward energy of niho taniwha patterning, creating depth, movement and rhythm while expressing the sun's constant energy radiating outward. The repeated layers acknowledge Tānerore, whose presence in te ao Māori is revealed through the shimmering heat rising from the earth on a hot day. This subtle reference introduces a sense of vibration and motion, allowing the sculpture to evoke not only the strength of Tama-nui-te-rā at its zenith, but also the living energy that radiates from him. The repetition of pattern reinforces the idea of continuity—the daily cycle of rising, reaching its highest point, and returning again.

Language as Landmark

Installed within the urban fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau, the work brings a distinctly Māori worldview into the public realm. By transforming typography into sculpture, language becomes both a physical landmark and a cultural marker, inviting moments of recognition, reflection and connection.

A Living Presence

During the day, bold planes of colour bring warmth and vitality to Vulcan Lane, contrasting against the surrounding cityscape. At night, the sculpture glows from within, illuminating the layered forms and suggesting the perpetual energy held within Tama-nui-te-rā. An ambient soundscape emanates from the sculpture, extending the experience beyond the visual. Created by Riki Gooch (TrinityRoots), the composition responds to the conceptual foundations of the work. After sharing the ideas behind the sculpture, Gooch interpreted these narratives through sound, creating an immersive layer that shifts with the changing light and atmosphere.

An Enduring Installation

Originally commissioned for Artweek 2024, RĀ continues to inhabit the lane as an enduring expression of te ao Māori, celebrating the life-giving force of the sun and the resilience, optimism and energy it brings to our everyday lives.