Saturday 11 October 2014
It is with tremendous sorrow that Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki shares the news of the passing of Professor Jonathan Ngarimu Mane-Wheoki (Ngāpuhi/Te Aupouri/Ngāti Kuri) who died peacefully yesterday evening.
A deeply respected and greatly loved curator and historian in the fields of art, architecture and culture, Jonathan had been a pivotal member of Te Haerewa, Auckland Art Gallery's Māori Advisory Group since 2010, offering valuable advice and sharing his extraordinary knowledge.
Auckland Art Gallery Director Rhana Devenport says, 'Jonathan remains a highly influential pioneer in the development of contemporary Māori and Pacific art and art history, his contribution has been profound.
'He will be long remembered for his powerful support and advocacy for contemporary Māori art practice and for being a brilliant and strong Māori voice in the fields of art history, architecture, fine arts education, cultural exchange and critical writing, both in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.'
Jonathan was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the arts in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours and in recent weeks was awarded a medal as Companion of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
He is survived by his partner Paul Bushnell and sister Moea.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Tae Allison
Communications Officer
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
P +64 9 307 7706
M +64 27 291 9953
E tae.allison@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz