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Robyn Kahukiwa

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Robyn Kahukiwa
Kahukiwa in her studio in 1995
Born(1938-09-14)14 September 1938
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died11 April 2025(2025-04-11) (aged 86)
Wellington, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Known for
  • Painting
  • writing
  • illustration
SpouseDooley Kahukiwa

Robyn Fletcher Kahukiwa (14 September 1938 – 11 April 2025) was a New Zealand artist, children's book author and illustrator. She created a significant collection of paintings, books, prints, drawings, and sculptures.[1]

Background

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Kahukiwa was born in Sydney, Australia, on 14 September 1938.[2][3] Through her mother, she was Māori, of Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Konohi and Te Whānau a Ruataupare descent.[4] She trained as a commercial artist, before moving to New Zealand at the age of 19.[5] Kahukiwa's early artworks were inspired by re-discovering her Māori heritage,[6][7] which she began doing after moving to New Zealand.[8]

Kahukiwa died in Wellington on 11 April 2025, at the age of 86.[9]

Career

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From 1972 to 1980, Kahukiwa was a regular exhibitor at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington.

In 1984, Kahukiwa gained prominence in New Zealand after her exhibition Wāhine Toa (strong women), which toured the country.[10][8] This exhibition drew on Māori myth and symbolism. One of the pieces, Hinetītama, is in the permanent collection at Te Manawa.[11]

In 1995, Kahukiwa exhibited a series named My Ancestors Are Always with Me in New York.[8]

In 2011, Kahukiwa was awarded the Te Tohu Toi Kē Award from Te Waka Toi, the Māori arm of Creative New Zealand.[1]

Influences

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Kahukiwa's work often dealt with themes of colonialism and the dispossession of indigenous people, motherhood and blood-ties, social custom and mythology.[2] According to a 2004 article, Kahukiwa implemented "political activism in subject matter and method into powerful images that assert Māori identity and tradition".[12] She was a "staunch supporter of Māori rights and the power and prestige of Māori women".[13] Her work was influenced by Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere and Frida Kahlo.[10]

Publications

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  • Taniwha (1986)
  • Paikea (1993)
  • The Koroua and the Mauri Stone (1994)
  • Kēhua (1996)
  • iharaira hohepa (2024)
  • Supa Heroes: Te Wero (2000)
  • Koha (2003)
  • Matatuhi (2007)
  • The Forgotten Taniwha (2009)
  • Tutu Taniwha (2010)
  • Te Marama (2011)
  • The Boy and the Dolphin (2016)
  • Ngā Atua: Māori Gods (2016)
  • the bitten Maori kuri (2024)

With writer Patricia Grace:

  • The Kuia and the Spider (1981)
  • Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street (1984)
  • Wāhine Toa: Women of Māori Myth (1984)

With Joy Cowley:

  • Grandma's stick (1982)
  • Hatupatu and the birdwoman (1982)

With Rangimarie Sophie Jolley:

  • The Blue Book (2014)

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bowen Galleries :: Artists Catalogue". www.bowengalleries.co.nz. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b Hilliard, Hinemoa; Lucie-Smith, Edward; Mane-Wheoki, Jonathan (2005). The Art of Robyn Kahukiwa. Reed.
  3. ^ "KAHUKIWA, Robyn". The Fletcher Trust Collection. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Acclaimed Māori artist Robyn Kahukiwa has died". RNZ. 12 April 2025. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  5. ^ Kirker, Anne (1986). New Zealand Women Artists. Reed Methuen.
  6. ^ "Robyn Kahukiwa". Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  7. ^ Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (2005). Treasures from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Te Papa Press. p. 3. ISBN 1-877385-12-3.
  8. ^ a b c Caughey, Elizabeth; Gow, John (1997). Contemporary New Zealand Art 1. Everbest Printing. pp. 38–39. ISBN 1-86953-218-X.
  9. ^ Te Wake, Whatitiri (12 April 2025). "Respected artist and political activist Robyn Kahukiwa dies, aged 87". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b Dunn, Michael. New Zealand Painting: A Concise History Auckland University Press, 2004
  11. ^ Townend, Lucy (12 October 2013). "Maori goddess returns to Te Manawa". Stuff. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  12. ^ Bailey, Gail (16 November 2004). "Warrior for Maori rights and identity". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Robyn Kahukiwa". Adam Art Gallery. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  14. ^ Susan Leckey, ed. (2015). The Europa Directory of Literary Awards and Prizes. Routledge. p. 165. ISBN 9781135356323. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  15. ^ "Te Waka Toi Awards".

Notes

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Further reading

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