25 May 2023

Wellington artist wins Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award

From Morning Report, 8:54 am on 25 May 2023
King Tuheitia opens the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award exhibition at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.

Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

A Wellington artist who wants to redefine what a portrait should be has won this year's Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award and a $20,000 prize.

Stevei Houkāmau's work is a five-metre-long sculpture made of multiple clay beads strung along a piece of wire representing her whakapapa.

Pokere Paewai was at the exhibition's opening ceremony yesterday in the capital.