Whangarei Art Museum director Ruth Green-Cole (left) and Miriam von Mulert prepare for the museum's two new exhibitions, both of which feature prominent Maori women. Photo / John Stone
Some of New Zealand's finest female Maori artists have join Dutch master Rembrandt at Whangarei Art Museum, with the opening of Waitangi Wahine.
The provocative exhibition was curated last year in response to the 175th anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi). It looked
at the impact of Te Tiriti on modern Maori lives.
Waitangi Wahine curator Chriss Doherty-McGregor said the five contributing artists - Robyn Kahukiwa, Linda Munn, Suzanne Tamaki, Tracey Tawhiao and Andrea Hopkins - had reputations for pushing boundaries.
"It makes you think about the Treaty and what it means, and what it has meant for us a nation, both Maori and Pakeha," Ms Doherty-McGregor said. "Together the artists featured here provide political statements on this debate, on the significance and status of Aotearoa New Zealand's founding document and the intention, spirit or principles of the Treaty."
The exhibition would slot in alongside Rembrandt Remastered, an exhibition featuring digital reproductions of 57 of the Dutch artist's works. Each has been "remastered", as accurately as possible, to reflect what the painting looked like at the time it was completed in the 17th century. This runs until July 17 across two venues, WAM and Reyburn House.
