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Vanessa Wairata Edwards

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Vanessa Wairata Edwards
Born1980 (age 44–45)
Alma materUniversal College of Learning, Massey University
Known forprintmaking
ElectedTe Ātinga Contemporary Māori Visual Arts
Websitehttps://www.vanessawairataedwardsart.com/

Vanessa Wairata Edwards is a New Zealand artist based in Whanganui who works primarily in printmaking. Her artwork explores cultural sovereignty as an Indigenous Māori woman, with some held at both Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. She is a founding member of the Toi Whakaata Māori Print Collective, and a committee member of Te Ātinga Contemporary Māori Visual Arts .

Biography

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Vanessa Wairata Edwards was born in 1980 and is of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kuri, and Ngāti Kahu descent.[1][2] She is based in Whanganui.[3]

Edwards primarily works in printmaking.[4] She also incorporates weaving–either through the use of woven surfaces or including weaving patterns in the design.[4] Her art works explore tikanga Māori and matauranga Māori as key themes.[4][5] As well as being an artist, she is a full time secondary school art teacher.[6][7]

In 2002, Edwards graduated from the Quay School of the Arts, Universal College of Learning (UCOL), Whanganui, majoring in printmaking.[4][8] In 2006, she was a founding member of Toi Whakaata Māori Print Collective.[2][4][9][10] In 2006, she was invited to SGC International in Madison, Wisconsin.[10]

In 2020-2021, Edwards' work was included in Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art at the Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery which was the most visited exhibition at the gallery since 1989.[11][12] Also in 2020, Social Amnesia, an exhibition by Edwards, was exhibited at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi, Whakatāne.[13]

Since 2021 she has been a member of Te Ātinga Contemporary Māori Visual Arts committee. Alongside her in 2025 this committee includes Margaret Aull (Co-chair), Chris Bryant, Regan Balzer (Co-Chair), Tāwera Tahuri (Secretary), Bonita Bigham, Rewiti Arapere, Randal Leach and others.[14]

She was part of an exhibition, Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou - With your basket and my basket, with Marwin Begaye and Alexis Neal at Arts + Literature Laboratory in Madison in 2022.[10] Later in 2022, she was part of the Hā exhibition at the Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, Wellington, which featured twelve wāhine (women) artists.[15][16]

In 2024, she graduated with a Masters in Maori Visual Arts from Massey University.[6] As part of her masters project, an exhibition of her prints, Taa E Kōrero Ana – Marks That Speak, was on display at the Niven Gallery, Taupō.[17]

Artworks

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Edwards printmaking explores an approach to 'print as an indigenous Māori'.  In her artwork is expression of self-determination cultural sovereignty.[3]  

Edwards has several artworks in museum and gallery collections across New Zealand, including:

References

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  1. ^ "Edwards, Vanessa Wairata". findnzartists.org.nz. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  2. ^ a b "Vanessa Wairata Edwards-Buerger". www.toiiho.org.nz. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  3. ^ a b "Vanessa Wairata Edwards Buerger | Te Ātinga". www.teatinga.com. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Vanessa Wairata Edwards". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  5. ^ "Aotearoa Artists A-G – ANZAAE". Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  6. ^ a b Nicholls-Potts, Whitney (2024-10-30). "Compelling new artworks on show". Whanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  7. ^ Wylie, Liz (2018-09-29). "Palette of advice for young artists". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  8. ^ "Vanessa Wairata Edwards". The Poi Room Ltd. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  9. ^ a b "Hinenui-Te-Po". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  10. ^ a b c "Vanessa Wairata Edwards". Arts + Literature Laboratory. 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  11. ^ "Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art - Announcements - e-flux". www.e-flux.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  12. ^ Triponel, Te Rina (2021-05-14). "Contemporary Māori art show holds record for largest art exhibition since 1989". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  13. ^ "New exhibition 'Social Amnesia' explores history". SunFM. 2020. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  14. ^ "About | Te Ātinga". www.teatinga.com. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  15. ^ "Hā". Toi Pōneke. 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  16. ^ "Hā: Rest as resistance". Wellington City Council. 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  17. ^ "Matariki magic at Taupō Museum". www.taupodc.govt.nz. 2024-05-31. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  18. ^ "AKA". christchurchartgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  19. ^ "Puna". christchurchartgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  20. ^ "Whakapono". christchurchartgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
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