Artist Kōrero: Hemi Macgregor and Shannon Te Ao

Artist kōrero: Hemi Macgregor and Shannon Te Ao | Saturday 25 March, 11am

Join us to hear artist Hemi Macgregor (Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe) in kōrero with Shannon Te Ao (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Wairangi, Te Pāpaka-a-Māui), as they discuss Macgregor’s solo exhibition, Waiora.

Waiora is a body of work which acknowledges stories of the environment and the ways our lives are set within it. Macgregor’s visual language speaks directly to values, beliefs and attitudes around abundance and sustainability in Te Ao Māori. Te Ao and Macregor will discuss Waiora, drawing on their friendship, ongoing dialogue and previous collaborations.

Hemi Macgregor (Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe) works across painting and sculpture – often drawing on geometric structures, patterns and processes found in raranga, tukutuku and taniko, and pūrākau that express relationships to the sky, water, earth and seasons. He is based on the Kāpiti Coast and is a Senior Lecturer at Massey’s Whiti o Rehua School of Art. Selected recent exhibitions include Matarau, City Gallery Wellington, 2022; Toitū Te Whenua, Toitū Te Moana, Toitū Te Tangata, Mahara Gallery, 2021; Toi Tu, Toi Ora, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2020-2021.

Shannon Te Ao (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Wairangi, Te Pāpaka-a-Māui) is an artist currently based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. Te Ao’s artistic output is centred around video and moving image installation exploring themes of language, grief, and intimacy. Te Ao’s works have been exhibited widely nationally and internationally. Te Ao has recently completed commissions for the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10), QAGOMA Brisbane and the 13th Gwangju Biennale: Minds Rising Spirits Turning. In 2021 Te Ao presented solo exhibitions at REMAI Modern (Saskatoon); Oakville Galleries (Toronto) and Te Uru (Auckland). In 2016 Te Ao was Awarded The Walters Prize by international judge Doryun Chong.

Free, no booking required.