The fighting words of artists as poets will take centre stage at a kaupapa Māori exhibition, ‘Art of Protest, in central Auckland this Thursday 15 May at 7pm.

The creative perspectives of protest by 12 contemporary Māori artists will be the backdrop for an open mic poetry reading led by Ati Teepa and curator Tracey Tawhiao at the Tawhiao Art Salon in Grey Lynn.

Both Ati and Tracey are exhibiting work alongside Tame Iti, Rakai Karaitiana, Natasha Keating, Shona Tawhiao, Hollie Tawhiao, Tom Kirkwood, Chantel Matthews, Paora Tiatoa and Ra Gossage: Art of Protest catalogue

Rūātoki-based artist and poet Ati Teepa (Tūhoe, Kāi Tahu) has extensive experience working in the arts sector as a creative producer, public programming producer at Te Papa Tongarewa and as a senior kaupapa Māori advisor at the College of Creative Arts, Toi Rauwharangi, at Massey University.

Ati’s credits includes associate producer for the 2022 film, Muru; an alliance with Tame Iti for the exhibition, ‘I will not speak Māori’, in the same year; and a visual storytelling collaboration with the Mana Moana collective in Ōtepoti in 2023. 

As a writer, he draws inspiration from his whānau, whenua and the stories of his home, Te Urewera. Ati is one of the inaugural fellows of the Tuwhare Creative Residency and is working on his first poetry publication.

A full-time artist for three decades, Tracey (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Whakatōhea) opened Tawhiao Art Salon in late 2023 as a gathering place for Māori artists to exhibit and connect with each other and their audiences – kanohi ki te kanohi. 

She has exhibited extensively both at home and abroad with her artworks now held in national and international museums and collections while her poetry and short fiction has featured in multiple art publications and anthologies. 

Tracey has produced some 40 exhibitions involving more than 100 artists including nine exhibitions at the Tawhiao Art Salon since it opened. 

To follow the exhibitions and to view the catalogue, go to www.instagram.com/tawhiaoartsalon