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Ngaahina

Hohaia

Hohaia flash1 0

Ngaahina Hohaia’s Biography

Last Updated:
19/04/2021, 12:47 pm
Discipline:
Visual Artist
Awards:
New Generation 2010
Iwi:
Taranaki iwi, Parihaka (Ngāti Moeahu, Ngāti Haupoto)
Highlight:
Ngaahina Hohaia is a weaver of works and words, translating traditional weaving knowledge into contemporary artworks. Through a range of media she creates unique jewellery and adornment pieces, sculpture and large-scale multimedia installations.

Ngaahina Hohaia comes from a strong background in traditional weaving and fibre work (whatu taniko and raranga) within her whanau (family). Ngaahina's work has developed into contemporary sculpture using metals, woollen blankets and other sculptural forms. Her politically charged new mixed-media installation works explore a discourse of colonisation and cultural collision in Aotearoa New Zealand with a firm assertion of mana tangata whenua.

Ngaahina's work launched the City Gallery Wellington's new Roderick and Gillian Deane Gallery for Māori and Pacific Art in 2009. The exhibition included over five hundred, intricately constructed natural-fibre, poi, within a multi-media installation of sound and image. The work reflected on the pain and sorrow endured by the people of Parihaka during interactions with 19th century colonial forces. In particular, it honoured Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi's vision to build a relationship between Māori and Pakeha based on respect and peace.

Ngaahina received an Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Award in 2010.

Ngaahina has exhibited throughout New Zealand and overseas. She lives in Auckland and is completing a Masters in Māori Visual Arts through Massey University.