Five Notable Māori Artists to Watch at the Aotearoa Art Fair
Published: Thursday 17 April 2025
The Aotearoa Art Fair is set to showcase a remarkable lineup of Māori artists who are pushing the boundaries of contemporary art, exploring indigenous histories, and celebrating the richness of Māori culture. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a newcomer to the scene, here are five leading Māori artists whose work you definitely don’t want to miss:
Lisa Reihana – Octopus in the Sculpture Trail
As part of the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail presented by Viaduct Harbour throughout the Viaduct Precinct, Lisa Reihana’s "Te Wheke" will capture your attention with its monumental presence. Showing in Tāmaki Makaurau for the first time, with the support of Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert and Auckland Council via the city centre targeted rate. Originally commissioned in 2022 for the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts, this inflatable sculpture is inspired by the legend of Kupe, the Polynesian navigator who encountered the giant female octopus, Te Wheke. Reihana, a multi-disciplinary Māori artist, used 1,000 pieces of patterned canvas to create this striking piece, reflecting Māori weaving traditions and bringing focus to women’s stories. The vibrant reds and oranges of the octopus reflect both the power of the creature and the blood spilled during its mythical demise.
Presented in partnership with Auckland Council.
About Lisa Reihana:
Lisa Reihana (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāi Tūteauru, Ngāi Tūpoto) is a Tāmaki Makaurau-based artist whose work spans film, sculpture, photography, and performance. Known for her groundbreaking work in new media, Reihana continues to make waves in both national and international art circles.
Brett Graham – Large-Scale Sculpture with Gow Langsford Gallery
Brett Graham is renowned for his bold, thought-provoking sculptures that explore issues of indigenous resistance and political histories. At this year’s Art Fair, Graham’s monumental commission will greet visitors at the Fair’s entrance. Known for blending traditional Māori forms with modern techniques, his "Weapons of Mass Destruction" series, which includes sculptures of military vehicles carved from materials like timber and steel, highlights his commitment to addressing the impacts of colonialism and imperialism.
About Brett Graham:
A prominent figure in the contemporary Māori art movement, Brett Graham has been exhibiting since the early 1990s. His large-scale installations and sculptures, often laden with political commentary, reflect the complexities of Māori identity in the modern world.
Raukura Turei – Presented by day01 Gallery
Raukura Turei is a multi-disciplinary artist and architect whose work focuses on reconnecting with her Māori whakapapa. Through the use of natural materials from her ancestral lands, such as blue clay and black iron sands, Turei’s work is deeply rooted in her exploration of Māori atua wāhine (female deities) and themes of body sovereignty. Her work, exhibited both in Aotearoa and internationally, is an emotional and spiritual journey that merges her architectural background with traditional Māori practices.
About Raukura Turei:
Turei (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki) holds a Master of Architecture and uses her medium of painting to channel her connection to her tīpuna (ancestors). Her work reflects a powerful meditation on strength, sensuality, and self-empowerment.
Wayne Youle – Featured by {Suite} Gallery
Wayne Youle is a Wellington-born artist who has made a name for himself through his bold, minimalist works that combine typography, shapes, and strong symbols to convey complex narratives. His unique use of clean lines and flat colors evokes both simplicity and depth, allowing him to explore themes of history, identity, and cultural storytelling. Youle’s works are deeply influenced by his Māori and Pākehā heritage, creating a dialogue between the two.
About Wayne Youle:
Wayne Youle (Ngā Puhi, Ngati Whakaeke, Ngāti Pākehā) is one of Aotearoa’s most innovative contemporary artists. Known for his stripped-back compositions, Youle brings forward complex narratives through minimalistic design. His works are held in collections across Aotearoa and internationally.
Fiona Pardington – Showing with Starkwhite Gallery
Fiona Pardington’s work spans over three decades and is celebrated for its intimate engagement with the objects of Māori heritage. She is best known for her still-life photography, which brings to life museum taonga (treasures) such as hei tiki (greenstone pendants) and extinct birds like the huia. Pardington’s careful, emotive photography interrogates the act of preservation and the concept of death, as well as the role of collecting in Māori culture.
About Fiona Pardington:
With a career that spans over three decades, Fiona Pardington is one of Aotearoa’s most influential photographers. Her work continues to breathe new life into forgotten treasures and bring attention to the need for conservation and respect for Māori taonga.
These five Māori artists are just a glimpse of the rich, diverse work you can expect at the Aotearoa Art Fair. Their work transcends cultural boundaries, providing insight into Māori traditions, contemporary issues, and the fusion of the past with the present. Be sure to visit their exhibitions at the Fair for an unforgettable art experience!
