2022 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate receiving the My Art Visual Arts Award

Mata Aho Collective is a collaboration between Erena Baker, Sarah Hudson, Bridget Reweti and Terri Te Tau. Together, they work in what they describe as a ‘four-brain, eight-hand approach’, enabling them to produce works with a single, collective authorship that is bigger than their individual capabilities.

Their mahi often takes the form of large scale, fiber based works, creating a dialogue around the complexity of Māori lives. Their conceptual framework is founded within the contemporary realities of mātauranga Māori, and their track record reflects the monumental impact they’ve had on art in Aotearoa and internationally – as one of three artists from Aotearoa who were the first to be selected for Documenta in 2017, continued commissioning within major international biennales such as Rīvus: 23rd Biennale of Sydney or as the recipients of the prestigious Walters Prize in 2021.

“This award is humbling, especially as we stand on the shoulders of giants who have not had the opportunity to receive recognition such as this. We are able to do this mahi because of their hard work, and are grateful for the paths they have forged and will continue that trail blazing for future ringatoi coming through.”