April 16, 2024
Māori modernist vibe recaptured at Wairau Gallery
The work of eight iconic Māori modernists is now on display at the Wairau Māori Art Gallery in Whangarei’s Hundertwasser Centre.
Te Ao Hurihuri reunites Elizabeth Ellis, the sole surviving member of the group, with Ralph Hotere, Kāterina Mataira, Para Matchitt, Selwyn Muru, Buck Nin, Cliff Whiting, and Pauline Yearbury.
Gallery director Larissa McMillan says when the group emerged in the 1950s and 1960s they reshaped the visual language of Maori art and opened the doors for those who came after.
“They were all friends. They all had exhibitions together. They all had robust discourse and debate and they partied together and laughed together and they were related so the beautiful thing is here they are again vibing together in the same space and in my mind they are still having those conversations with each other through their artwork,” she says.
Te Ao Hurihuri runs until July 28.