Paintings by Contemporary
Maori artists
“The contemporary maori art movement grew out of the impact of colonisation and
the introduction to new tools, new philosophies , new materials, and the huge social
changes partly accepted and partly forced on Maori people. The celebrated maori
Leader Te Kooti, was to play a large part in radical changes to Maori art with his
painted poupou in his ancestral house RONGOPAI.
Another major influence was the world wars when Maori travelled overseas and saw
the great artworks of Europe, Africa and Asia. Exposing the world to a Maori race who
previously focussed on the insularity of a simple country life, was to create a massive
change in the next generation to follow.”
(quote taken from pg.6 “Forever Buck Nin”
“ko wai te waka e kau mai nei”
(what is this canoe that swims my
way?” ) 1976 by Buck Nin
“ Maori Totem” by Buck Nin
pen and ink on paper
“Return to the Marae” by Buck Nin
“ Te Weu “ By Hemi Macgregor 2010
“ Matau # 1 “ by Hemi Macgregor 2009
Untitled
Hemi Macgregor
“To Te Whiti” by Emare Karaka
“ E Tiki mai Whaka “ by Emare Karaka c 1984
“ Local government Tea party “ by Emare Karaka
“Challenge of the land” by Buck Nin
C 1976
Acrylic and oil on board
“Rakaumangamanga “ by Robert Ellis
Oil on paper
“ Arepa – Omeka “ by Robert Ellis
( 9 Maehe)
“ Mahuru / September “ By Robert Ellis 2005
“ City river and orange sky” By Robert Ellis
Oil on canvas
1964
“Arepa “ by Robert Ellis
( 9 Maehe )
“lil Btk Tiz” by Saffron Te Ratana
Mixed media on paper
2001
Close up of painting by Ratana
Much of Saffrons work is in response to intuitive ideas about application of
paint as a sensual medium in its own right. She combines layers of opaque and
transparent colours and images and scraping and scratching back surfaces,
drawing over parts with a range of drawing tools.
“ Tribal Affiliations / groups – Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati
pahauwera “ by Sandy Adsett, Acrylic on paper
Sandy translates traditional maori artforms such as Taniko, Tukutuku and
kowhaiwhai into contemporary abstract and very carefully executed
geometric compositions and rh,ythmical compositions that tell stories about
maori culture, creation themes, and heritage.
“ Awhiowhio – whirlwind “ by Sandy Adsett
“ Kahurangi” by Sandy Adsett, acrylic on board
“He Rau Kawakawa” by Ngataiharuru Taepa
2006
“For me kowhaiwhai is an expression of the way our ancestors saw the world in their time. Their
achievement using positive and negative spaces , was to have the colours interact simultantaneously.”
He Rau Kawakawa is a lament and also a celebration of life , of those who have departed. The
kawakawa is a medicinal plant and the artist sees this work as a rongoa for those left behind. It
reminds him of a WHAKATAUKI “ pursue the unseen/ unatainable”