Penny Howard's four muses

Photo: supplied

One posed nude with her guitar, a second is running with a tokotoko, while another sits surrounded by owls. West Auckland artist Penny Howard has captured women who inspire her on canvas for a solo show she calls Mana Muse. Singer-songwriter and TV show host Anika Moa, New Zealand poet laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh, writer and artist Sia Figiel and politician Marama Davidson are the four muses in the exhibition. Lynn Freeman spoke to Penny and Selina - first asking Penny how she selected her four muses: Mana Muse opens at Auckland's Whitespace gallery next Sunday