Artists have long used their art making to direct attention to urgent issues and debates. These artists raise concerns about human health and wellbeing, making connections with the health and wellbeing of the whenua (land) personified by Papatūānuku (earth mother), the nurturer of all people. These artists reaffirm that caring for the whenua is intimately connected with our own health and wellbeing, as well as that of future generations. These artworks are a call to action and reminder of the fragility of humankind and the interconnection between people and the natural environment.
 

Nō mua noa atu kua whakamahia e ngā ringa toi te toi ki te miramira i ngā kaupapa nonoi me ngā tautohenga o te wā. Kei te hari ngā ringa toi o konei i ā rātou nawe mō te hauora whaiaro me te oranga tonutanga ki te hinengaro o te rōpū, ka mutu he whakatutū i te kōrero mō te hauora me te oranga tonutanga o te whenua i runga i ngā āhuatanga o Papatūānuku, ko ia te kaipoipoi o te katoa. E ai ki ēnei ringa toi, kua honoa whīwhiwhitia te manaaki i te whenua ki tō tātou hauora, tō tātou oranga tonutanga, ki tērā o ngā whakatipuranga kei te heke tonu mai. Ko ngā toi i konei he karanga kia kōkiri, he whakamaumaharatanga i te marore o te tangata, o te whenua, o te taiao, he hononga tō tētahi ki tētahi.

 

Artworks | Mahi toi

View Artwork

Not on display

Ko Ngā Hua o Rongomaraeroa
Ko Ngā Hua o Rongomaraeroa

Claudine Muru

Production date
2003
Medium
blown glass
Credit line
Courtesy of Charlotte Graham and Auckland Council Art Collection
Accession no
X2020/141
View Artwork

Not on display

Mauri Ora
Mauri Ora

Charlotte Graham

Production date
2012
Medium
acrylic, glue and shell on recycled mirror board
Size (h x w)
305 x 395 x 20 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2017
Accession no
2017/20/4
View Artwork

Not on display

Powhiri O Ngā Whetu
Powhiri O Ngā Whetu

Jimmy James Kouratoras

Production date
2019
Medium
acrylic on canvas
Size (h x w)
1100 x 1520 mm
Credit line
Courtesy of the artist
Accession no
X2020/62/1
View Artwork

Not on display

Kua Ngaro
Kua Ngaro

Vanessa Wairata Edwards

Production date
2012
Medium
drypoint and screenprint on paper
Size (h x w)
350 x 550 mm
Credit line
Private collection
Accession no
X2020/101/8
View Artwork

Not on display

Te Rakau a Te Rangitāwhia- The Tree of Te Rangitāwhia
Te Rakau a Te Rangitāwhia- The Tree of Te Rangitāwhia

Huhana Smith

Production date
2003
Medium
oil on linen
Size (h x w)
1380 x 450 x 35 mm
Credit line
Private collection
Accession no
X2020/50