Ngaahina Hohaia
New Zealand visual artist and weaver (born 1975)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ngaahina Hohaia (born 1975) is a visual artist and weaver of Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Moeahu, Ngāti Haupoto and Greek descent from Parihaka, New Zealand.[1]
Ngaahina Hohaia | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1975 (age 50–51) |
| Movement | Contemporary Māori Art |
Biography
Hohaia has artistic influences from her grandmothers. Her Māori grandmother was a weaver and Greek grandmother was a painter.[2]
Ngaahina gained a Masters in Māori Visual Arts from Toioho ki Āpiti in 2009 and in 2010 received the Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Award.[3][2] In 2007 Hohaia received the Te Waka Toi Ngā Karapihi award.
Work
Her work often draws from Parihaka history and has been exhibited nationally and internationally.[4] Her contemporary art work uses traditional fibres combined with metals and silks.[2] Items she has created include jewellery and adornment pieces, sculpture and large-scale multimedia installations.[3]
Wellington's City Gallery opened a new gallery space Roderick and Gillian Deane Gallery for Maori and Pacific Art in 2009 with a large installation by Hohaia made up of over 500 poi created from natural fibre including woolen blankets. The work honours the messages of peace from Parihaka leaders Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi.[5][6]
Exhibitions
- 2016 Tools of Oppression and Liberation Pataka Art + Museum, Porirua[7]
- 2013 Navigation Pacifica, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Sydney[4]
- 2013 Call of Taranaki, Puke Ariki, New Plymouth[4]
- 2013 Matatau, Bath Street Gallery, Auckland[4]
- 2010 Manawa Wera - Defiant Chants Objectspace, Auckland[8]
- 2009 Ngahina Hohaia City Gallery Wellington[9]
- 2009 Fibra Spirare, Rydals Museum, Sweden - showcased five contemporary New Zealand textile artists[10]
Personal
Hundreds of people gathered at Ōwairaka mountain in Auckland in 2020 in solidarity for Hohaia after she made a complaint with the New Zealand police about a racial attack on her. Māori leaders spoke out against the decision made by the police not to prosecute.[11]