About Us
Artist Manifesto
To revive direct relationship with nature.
To communicate with human nature, not creed or race.
To connect to the miracle of love.
To restore balance of mind, body and soul as proof of the divine. The thought precedes all outcome, that is the first.
Whakaaturanga Toi
Hei whakaora i te whanaungatanga tika ki te taiao.
Ki te korero ki te ahua tangata, ehara i te whakapono, i te iwi ranei.
Hei hono atu ki te merekara o te aroha.
Hei whakahoki i te taurite o te hinengaro, te tinana me te wairua hei tohu mo te atua. Ko te whakaaro kei mua i nga putanga katoa ko te tuatahi.
Whakaaturanga Toi – Artist Manifesto
Art is more than expression—it is a way of being, a way of knowing, and a way of restoring balance in an ever-changing world. This manifesto stands as a guiding principle for creative practice, reminding us that art is not separate from life but deeply intertwined with our relationships—to the whenua, to each other, and to the unseen forces that shape our existence.
It calls for a return to a direct and unmediated connection with nature, recognising that our creative energies are drawn from the same source that nourishes all living things. It speaks to the essence of human nature beyond divisions, seeking unity through the miracle of aroha. It acknowledges that true artistry is an act of rebalancing—of mind, body, and wairua—revealing the divine presence within and around us.
Above all, this manifesto asserts a fundamental truth: thought precedes all creation. Before the form, before the action, there is intention. And it is within this intention that the power of art truly lies.
The Art Salon
The Artist
Tracey Tawhiao is a contemporary Māori artist and 'artivist' from Aotearoa, New Zealand, whose multifaceted practice encompasses poetry, painting, performance and moving image.
Drawing from her Māori heritage (Ngāi te Rangi, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Tawhiao explores the concept of spirituality or wairua, weaving together her connection to the natural world and indigenous philosophy. Her unique approach transforms negative language into positive narratives, using motifs inspired by Māori Symbolism to tell a new story of Te Ao Māori today. With a background deeply rooted in her experiences at her grandparents' home, where she first began to paint over the newspaper leaving the new news.
Tracey has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally. Her work not only reflects her identity as a Māori woman but also serves as a powerful medium for reviving and sharing oral traditions and philosophies.
Dive into the world of Tracey Tawhiao to discover how her art poignantly bridges the past and present, illuminating our spiritual future.