21 Jan 2014

Maori artworks on show

7:52 pm on 21 January 2014

Five senior Maori painters will be exhibiting their contemporary work at Auckland Art Gallery, with pieces based on political and natural themes.

Kura Te Waru Rewiri, Robyn Kahukiwa and Emily Karaka, along with next-generation painters Saffronn Te Ratana and Star Gossage, are involved.

On display will be Kahukiwa's symbol-rich landscape murals, along with the bold brushwork of Karaka which focuses on Treaty of Waitangi claims.

Through the work of Rewiri visitors will see a new take on traditional kowhaiwhai painting, while Gossage incorporates the use of natural pigments to paint her ethereal figures.

And Te Ratana expands painting from the canvas into the third dimension with a commissioned installation.

Five Maori Painters is supported by funding from Te Waka Toi the Māori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand and JBWere.

The free exhibition will run from 22 February to 15 June.