Māori culture celebrates the role enduring art traditions play in the lives of people. Whakakai (body adornment), raranga (weaving) and uku (clay making) remain integral in shaping Māori visual culture. These living traditions can be seen in the work of Māori artists throughout time and they continue to inspire today. The work of contemporary makers connects to a legacy of ancestral knowledge, technical skill and understanding of material. These making traditions navigate customary knowledge while introducing contemporary materials and sensibilities.

 

Kei te whakanui te ahurea Māori i te kaupapa toi me tōna mana toitū i te ao Māori. Ko tā te whakakai, te raranga, te uku, he tārai i te ahurea ataata o te Māori. Kitea ai ēnei tikanga i roto i ngā mahi a ngā ringa toi Māori nō mua noa atu, ā, he mea whakahihiko i ēnei rā tonu. Kei te tūhono ngā mahi a ngā kaihanga o ēnei wā ki te mātauranga, ki ngā pūkenga hangarau, ki ngā whanaungatatanga ki ngā rawa hoki kua tukuna iho. Kei te whakatere ēnei tikanga hanga i te mātauranga o ngā wā o mua, ahakoa kua tīmata ki te whakamahi i ngā rawa me ngā tirohanga hou o ēnei rā.

Artworks | Mahi toi

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Tango Whakaahua
Tango Whakaahua

Erena Baker

Production date
2006
Medium
digital photographs
Size (h x w)
690 x 580 mm
Credit line
Collection of Robert Jahnke
Accession no
X2020/134.1-4
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MMVA_IMG: 14
MMVA_IMG: 14

Aimee Ratana

Production date
2005
Medium
digital c-type print
Size (h x w)
1100 x 1467 mm
Credit line
Courtesy of the artist
Accession no
X2020/36/1
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Surprise
Surprise

Toi Te Rito Maihi

Production date
circa 1979
Medium
shells and harakeke fibre
Size (h x w)
210 x 170 mm
Credit line
Courtesy of the artist
Accession no
X2020/98/2
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Ki a wai?
Ki a wai?

Neke Moa

Production date
2019
Medium
pounamu, coconut fibre, paint
Size (h x w)
500 x 190 x 70 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased with funds from the Dingley Trust, 2021
Accession no
2021/14/2
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From Te Taonga O Te Ariki series
From Te Taonga O Te Ariki series

Tangimoe Clay

Production date
2019
Medium
albatross foot bound with dyed whitau
Size (h x w)
290 x 150 mm
Credit line
Collection of the artist
Accession no
X2020/91/3
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Kaokao I & II
Kaokao I & II

Gina Matchitt

Production date
2006
Medium
recycled computer keys and composite wood
Size (h x w)
1840 x 320 x 40 mm
Credit line
Collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira [2007.60.1-2]
Accession no
X2020/126.1-2
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Mr & Mrs Hēmi and Mereana Pūtangitangi (James and Maryann Paradise-Shelduck)
Mr & Mrs Hēmi and Mereana Pūtangitangi (James and Maryann Paradise-Shelduck)

Te Maari

Production date
2020
Medium
felt, wool with mohair (knitted elements), cotton (embroidery)
Size (h x w)
340 x 200 x 60 mm
Credit line
Private collection, Auckland
Accession no
X2020/132/4.1-2
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Maro
Maro

Donna Tupaea-Petero

Production date
2007
Medium
neon, oil and acrylic on board
Size (h x w)
800 x 800 x 100 mm
Credit line
On loan from the Jodi and Hagen Tautari Collection
Accession no
X2020/109
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Short pot
Short pot

Selwyn Wilson

Production date
circa 1970
Medium
fired ceramic
Size (h x w)
290 x 270 x 270 mm
Credit line
Private collection
Accession no
X2020/133/1