Mere Lodge

Name
Mere Lodge
Iwi/Ethnicity
Ngāti Porou/Māori
Date of birth
1944
Nationality
New Zealander
Biography
Born in Ruatōria, Mere Harrison Lodge (née Harrison) holds a Diploma of Fine Art (1964) from Elam School of Fine Art, having completed a thesis researching tukutuku panels between marae wharenui (meeting houses) of the Rūātoki–Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington region.

In her work, textured paint and geometric sculptural forms emulating the whenua (land) tell the stories of Lodge’s tīpuna (ancestors) and papakāinga (homeland). Without any specific visual links or Māori motifs, her sculptures, paintings and drawings more capture the wairua (spirit) of her home.

Passionate about Māori art and the revitalisation of te reo Māori (the Māori language), Lodge is a member of many boards and councils, and a key part of Haerewa Māori Advisory Board at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.