So many Māori artists these days, no matter if brought up in Te Ao Māori or learning about this part of their heritage, create work that is engaged with mana whenua, mana tiriti, mana tangata, mana wahine and tino rangatiratanga. So many works can connect to all those forementioned topics, this is because they are all intrinsically entwined. So it is easy to find Māori artists who talk to the conversations of Mana whenua, I decided to choose the two who have had the most impact on me in recent times, Israel Tangaroa-Birch and Tina Ngata.
Israel Tangaroa-Birch
Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Tawake, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka
Use of pattern like unaunahi. Use of text including oriori, whakataukī and karakia. Paints with light.
Tina Ngata
Ngāti Porou
Not as much known artwork, but constantly know for her fight for Te Ao Māori from whenua to tangata and everything in between.
Darcy Nicholas
Kahui Maunga, Te Atiawa nui tono, Ngati Ruanui, Tangahoe, Tauranga Moana and Ngati Haua
Stunning colourful layered paintings. Locating people with their land. Paintings and sculptures.
Shona Rapira Davies
Ngati Wai ki Aotea
Painter and sculptor Shona creates large scale works that engage with the space as well as the audience. I like her works scale, use of traditional pattern and telling of wāhine Māori narratives.
TOI BY TESSA 