Mind That Māori, 2024, installation view. Courtesy: the artists and Tim Melville Gallery, Auckland.

Tim Melville Gallery’s opening exhibition of 2024 is Mind that Māori, a group presentation given its title by artists Lissy & Rudi Robinson-Cole. They had noticed parent-helpers at a children’s swimming event wearing “Mind that Child” high-vis vests … so crocheted wool “Mind that Māori” artworks were the obvious next step.

Initially the artists created an edition of framed artworks in their signature Wharenui Harikoa neon colours. More recently however, as the political terrain shifted and New Zealanders found themselves negotiating a particularly contentious Waitangi Day celebration, the couple re-conceived the Mind that Māori series in black and white.

Last month a national hui was called by Kiingi Tuheitia at Ngāruawahia where, in a push for peace and unity, he suggested that Māori should “be who we are, live our values, speak our reo, care for our mokopuna, our awa, our maunga, just be Māori. Māori all day, every day.”

In that spirit, the gallery present an exhibition by thirteen Māori artists whose work does exactly that.

Exhibited artists include Hiria Anderson-Mita, Chris Bailey, Elizabeth Ellis, Russ Flatt, Star Gossage, Mere Harrison Lodge, Ngahina Hohaia, Tracy Keith, Taane Mete, Lissy Robinson-Cole, Rudi Robinson-Cole, Ngataiharuru Taepa and Nephi Tupaea.

The exhibition runs in conjunction with a presentation of Star Gossage’s works in the gallery office titled Kia Tipu … let it grow.