Gisborne artists Michelle Hinekura Kerr, Jody Tupara and Karaitiana Akroyd nominated for Kiingitanga award

Jody Tupara's 'Ngā Haututu o te Kāuta', a portrait painted of her Pāpā Libby Kerr, (the late) Ruka Tupara 'Grandfather' and his brother (the late) Nick Tupara 'Papa Nicko' at Takitimu Marae cook house is one of the finalists in the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award. It will be on display from May 25 at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington, alongside works by some other amazing Māori artists.

Three artists in Gisborne have been selected as finalists in the inaugural Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award.

The celebrated artists are: Michelle Hinekura Kerr for Ngā Huna Kōrero, Jody Tupara for Ngā Haututu o te Kāuta and Karaitiana Akroyd for Wairua

The award, a partnership between the Office of the Kiingitanga and the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, was launched in 2020 to inspire a new generation of emerging Māori artists to create portraits of their tūpuna (ancestors).

The competition attracted an impressive 96 entries, of which 44 have been selected for the short-list and will form the finalists exhibition.

Artists were given an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage while competing for a first prize of $20,000. The runner-up and Forsyth Barr People’s Choice Award receives $2,500 each.

The finalist artworks were selected by a distinguished panel comprising renowned artists who will judge and announce the winners at the opening of the exhibition. The judges are multi-disciplinary, portrait artist Graham Hoete aka “Mr G” (Ngati Awa, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui), researcher, artist, arts educator and curator, Steve Gibbs (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Rongomaiwahine), and artist Lisa Reihana (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāi Tūteauru, Ngāi Tupoto), who is known around the world for her portraits and digital art.

The winning artworks will be announced on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, and the exhibition will be shown at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata in Shed 11 on Wellington’s waterfront from Thursday May 25 – Sunday August 20, entry is free. Finalist artworks will then tour the country.