VISIT OUR STORE
Open Mon- Fri 10:30am - 5:30pm . Sat 11am - 4pm . Sunday by appointment . 19 Tory Street, Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand
Nau Mai Haere Mai.
Welcome to Iwi Art online.
Iwi Art’s mission is to be a successful Maori art exhibition, retail and wholesale business.
In doing so, Iwi Art also aims to remain true to the wishes of our Maori ancestors that the taonga of traditional design be nurtured and protected. Iwi Art is committed to supporting the ongoing production of traditional design through:
- sensitive selling methods;
- appropriate exhibition of artwork;
- ongoing commitment to the replanting of native trees;
- observing Kaitahu kaitiakitanga of pounamu; and
- working closely with and supporting Maori artists who continue to create and innovate within the styles bequeathed by our ancestors.
Kia u ki te wairua o Toi - hold on to the creative spirit.
Feature Artist
Julie Paama-Pengelly Kipa
Ngai Te Rangi, Ngai Tuwhiwhia
Julie holds a Masters in Development studies as well as Masters (Honours) in Maori Visual Arts and is currently undertaking research into Ta Moko towards her Doctorate of Philosophy in Fine Arts. She has taught art at Senior School level and held Senior lectureship positions in Universities throughout New Zealand. Julie has consistently, strongly advocated and initiated Maori-driven Arts development, at both individual and community levels, with a view to enhancing the profile of Maori art, nationally and internationally. She has an ongoing interest and expertise in comparative historical and political arts development of Polynesia and the wider Pacific, particularly in relation to emerging artistic identities in Aotearoa.
Julies professional art practice takes in contemporary painting, printmaking and digital design and she is highly sought after as one of a few women to practice ta moko (customary tattooing) - all these art disciplines she currently holds the Toi Iho - Maori made mark of authenticity and quality. Julie prefers however, not to be defined by artistic medium engaging actively in curatorial discourse while asserting the "use of whatever tools allow for the expression of modern Maori identity". Her works on canvas have become readily identifiable nonetheless, by the use of rust "a metaphor for the integration of western systems in contemporary Maori identities, celebrating decay yet re-growth as the richness of iron in nature is transformed into new cityscapes in the modern world".
