Te Puna brings together essays about the art of Te Tai Tokerau / Northland, including carving, painting, weaving, architecture, moko (tattoo) and waka building. It discusses how Northland Maori art was collected by museums and missionaries; and argues that Tai Tokerau was the cradle for contemporary Maori art. Shorter essays highlight artists such as Ralph Hotere, Shane Cotton, Hec Busby and Kura Te Waru Rewiri. The essays are by leading art historians and curators.
Accolades
Shortlisted for Nga Kupu Ora Maori Book of the Decade 2009.
Author Biography
Dr Deidre Brown is senior lecturer in architecture at the University of Auckland, and a freelance art curator. Her previous books include Tai Tokerau Whakairo Rakau: Northland Maori Wood Carving, Maori Arts of the Gods, and the highly successful Introducing Maori Art. Ngarino Ellis is lecturer in art history at the University of Auckland. She coedited Te Ata: Maori Art from the East Coast. Other contributors include leading art historians and curators Jonathan Mane-Wheoki, Chanel Clarke, Debbie Martin and master wearver Toi Te Rito Maihi.
