Muramura of Protest

Muramura of Protest is a collaborative and multidisciplinary exhibition that highlights the importance of having a presence and voice from a mana takatāpui and wāhine position. This exhibition campaigns for the right to exist and glow brightly as our authentic natural selves. 

Muramura of Protest is a loud and gentle exhibition that explores the relationships between gender identity and Māori culture. The creative works speak through diverse visual languages that unpack patriarchal practices and belief systems. Offering an inclusive environment of Whakairo, moving image, painting and experimental sound that provides a sense of belonging. 

The kupu muramura means vivid with colour. Within the context of this exhibition, Zena Elliott and Tia Barrett employ the notion of vividness to express the visibility of their Māori culture, creativity and identity through an immersive creative encounter.

Zena Elliott (Ngāti Awa, Te Whanau ā Apanui, Te Arawa, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Raukawa, Whakatōhea, Tūwharetoa) is an established Waikato based multidisciplinary artist positioned within a contemporary painting and whakairo art practice. Zena’s creative works stimulate discussion about gender fluidity, visibility, cultural identity and popular culture. Elliott has shown in the ground-breaking 2020-21 exhibition staged by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki ‘Toi Tū Toi Ora’ curated by Nigel Borell. Elliott has artworks held in national and international public and private collections. In 2022, Elliott was commissioned to create a painting named ‘Kotahitanga’ for the 100th year celebration of the Matangireia, Māori Affairs Committee Room at the New Zealand parliament in Wellington. 

Tia Barrett (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Te Rapuwai, Waitaha, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tamainupō) is an emerging Waikato based moving image practitioner and photographer. Barrett’s art practice is primarily grounded in celebrating her wāhine Māori identity and deepening her connection to the whenua me o ngā tūpuna through a lens based practice. Barrett is a recent graduate of the Masters of visual arts programme at the Auckland University of Technology. Her thesis title is ‘He Pounamu Ko Aū: Celebrating my mana wāhine Māori narrative’. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Arts – Major in Screen and Media from The University of Waikato and a Postgraduate Diploma in Communication from Massey University.