29 May 2021

Emily Karaka: Rahui and the art of resistance

From Saturday Morning, 9:40 am on 29 May 2021
Emily Karaka with Kawerau ā Maki Rāhui WRHA Act 2008 (2021).

Emily Karaka with Kawerau ā Maki Rāhui WRHA Act 2008 (2021). Photo: supplied / Sam Hartnett

Emily Karaka's colourful post-modern expressionist paintings explore personal, political, and environmental issues, with an emphasis on the importance of mātauranga Māori.

One of Aotearoa's most respected artists, she spent the start of 2021 as the McCahon House Artist in Residence, living and working at French Bay where she witnessed the devastation kauri dieback is causing.

The works produced during that time can be seen at her exhibition Rāhui, on until 5 June at Visions Gallery in Auckland.

She has also been actively involved in Māori Land Rights and Treaty Claims issues negotiation, including at Ihumātao.