Māhutonga – Time Stands Still is an exhibition of stoneworks carved by Anton Forde from 2019 to 2024. Māhutonga is a recognition of and salute to our natural world, and the hope that humanity brings whilst interacting with her. One of the artist’s first memories is his father, the engineer on the Milford Road, pointing to stars in a cross formation and talking about Māhutonga/the Southern Cross, “if ever you are lost, those stars will guide you home.” These works pay tribute to those whetū/stars, and those permanently living with the stars, who allow us to find home today. 

Māhutonga will be exhibited alongside Te Wepu MMXXIII by Robert Jahnke. Under the supervision of Professor Jahnke at Massey University’s Māori Visual Arts Programme Toioho ki Āpiti, Forde gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts and a Masters of Māori Visual Arts with First Class Honours. Says Forde, “the significance and honour is huge for me to exhibit alongside Bob who is an incredible artist as well as a rangatira/leader in bringing contemporary Māori art into the light for generations of artists.”