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Selwyn Muru: A Life's Work


  • New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata Shed 11, 60 Lady Elizabeth Lane Wellington New Zealand (map)

Senior Māori artist Selwyn Muru (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kurī, Ngāti Muri Kahara, Ngāti Rehia, Te Whakatōhea) was once described as one of the most original Māori thinkers of his time.

This exhibition affirms his pioneering legacy and leadership across multiple fields of activity – as a visual artist, broadcaster, playwright and social commentator, an actor, professional musician, orator, teacher, and tribal repository of knowledge.

Presenting many artworks never shown publicly before, this exhibition includes paintings and drawings alongside documentary photography, audio and video.

Curated by Moana Nepia


Interviews by Selwyn Muru:

Selwyn Muru interviews poet Hone Tuwhare for Koha (1981):

Selwyn Muru interviews Whina Cooper for Koha (1983):

Selwyn Muru interviews Peter Jemison (Iroquois Seneca) and John Kaahu (Tuhoe) atTe Māori exhibition for Koha (1984):

Documentaries for radio by Selwyn Muru:

Selwyn Muru introduces round table discussion of young Māori at 1YA, Auckland (1971):

Selwyn Muru talks with Dick Scott and Matarena Raumati Tau about Parihaka (1975):

Selwyn Muru discusses Polynesian migration, visa overstayers and dawn raids (1976):

Selwyn Muru interviews Joe Hawke about Bastion Point (1977):

Documentaries on Selwyn Muru:

Waka Huia: Selwyn Muru (2012):

Kōrero Tuku Iho: Selwyn Murupaenga (2022):

Directed by Selwyn Muru:

Into Antiquity: A Memory of the Māori Moko (1972):


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Selwyn Muru: A Life's Work - Print Catalogue
$20.00

Senior Māori artist Selwyn Muru (Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupōuri, Te Pātū, Ngāti Rēhia, Muri Kahara, Te Whakatōhea) was once described as one of the most original Māori thinkers of his time. While moving with ease between ancient and contemporary realms of thought, Muru and his life’s work continues to challenge us to respond to the local and international issues he draws our attention to.

This catalogue includes the images of the works in the exhibition, and a curatorial essay by Moana Nepia.

Later Event: 15 December
Authors of Aotearoa