Kapahaka Queen by Ngaroma Riley

‍Artist: Ngaroma Riley

‍Title: Kapahaka Queen

‍Year: 2024

Location: Eastern Viaduct – Te Wero Bridge‍

Size: 1600 x 1500 x 1500mm

Material: Plywood, pāua, acrylic paint, marine ply thread

For price and purchase enquiries please contact Tim Melville

info@timmelville.com
timmelville.com

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About the artwork:

This work is a shout out to all the aspiring Kapahaka Queens — the ones who live and breathe haka, who learn their words on the bus, sing their waiata in the shower, practise their pukana in the mirror and who give their heart and soul to every performance.

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About the artist: 

Ngaroma Riley is an artist of Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, and Pākehā descent. She began her carving journey making Buddhist statues while working in Japan. Her work centres on Māori narratives, with a focus on retelling whānau, hapū and iwi stories through a wahine Māori lens. Ngaroma is known for her karetao (hand-carved puppets) and love of chainsaws.