TWO ARTISTS

Contemporary Māori Artists Arnold Wilson and Para Matchitt exhibit their work at the National Museum. They talk about the introduction of modern mediums through which they can express their artistic view.

From 1950 onwards a renaissance of Māori culture was seen in New Zealand. Cliff Whiting, Arnold Wilson, Para Matchitt, Ralph Hotere and Fred Graham were among several young Māori artists who trained under the Department of Education National Supervisor of Art and Craft, Gordon Tovey. It was this group who went on to revolutionise Māori art by experimenting with new materials and motifs. Younger artists felt freer to produce works that both reflected their contemporary urban lives and cultural backgrounds.

Many traditionalists were threatened by these hybrid styles. European critics also argued that this new style rendered Māori artists secondary to European artists.