Margaret Aull
Fiji, Ngaati Tuuwharetoa, Te Rarawa
Margaret is both Fijian and Maaori and her understanding of place and connection is embedded in family histories of migration, faith, settlement, tides, marae, vanua, and ritual. These aspects are all part of the richness that is part of her visual narrative. Based in Te Awamutu, Margaret has worked across areas such as strategy, arts development and project management. She has exhibited in Aotearoa, U.S, Australia, Fiji, Morocco and recently curated Toi is Rongoaa (2022) at Waikato Museum NZ. This large-scale exhibition was based on cultural knowledge systems, research and a return to balance through wellbeing. Past roles include Collection Curator for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Tumu Herenga Toi for New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. She holds Master of Fine Arts from Whitecliffe School of Art and Design and contributes to are the Toi ki Waikato Waananga for Maaori artists in the region to connect and share knowledge and practice. She is current chair of Te Aatinga Contemporary Maaori Arts Committee for Toi Maaori Aotearoa.
Mata va
MDF, wax pigment, shell, ochre
Mata Va by Margaret Aull
Mata va 1 by Margaret Aull
Mata va 2 by Margaret Aull
Mata va 3 by Margaret Aull
Mata va 4 by Margaret Aull
My practise has always been centred around social, political and cultural themes that thread in whakapapa, whenua, ritual and belief systems. Rangahau informs the exploration of my ideas through installation, sculpture and painting. I am interested in offerings and the practice of ritual that become ways of communication and representation. This series of forms and shapes focus on the “mata” (face) of Tanoa bowls from the Pacific Collections. Yaqona is an important part of culture and exchange that can open up channels both physical and sacred, and that can be formal and informal. It is a way in which I share time, thoughts and space with family. Practice and ritual is precious and intimate, the works explore the relationship between belief and reflection. Va is nominal for four.
For sales enquiries, please contact the artist directly: margaretaull99@gmail.com
