Images of Maori Women - Mataahua Wahine

During 1992 I travelled to many parts of the North Island, from the Hawke's Bay to the Hokianga, to spend time with Maori women, young and old, in their own homes. I photographed each woman in her own landscape, and in turn each woman wrote a piece about herself to accompany her image. This book represents months of travelling, photographing, living with families, and forming friendships with the women I was honoured to be introduced to. An exhibition of photographs from "Images of Maori Women" toured NZ for 18 months to 24 different venues, including Te Taumata Art Gallery, Auckland, Pa Te Aroha, Hokianga, Waitangi Marae and Page 90, Wellington. The exhibition went back to each area I had photographed in first with me attending each of these powhiri. View images from the book >

"Reviews"

"The lengthy and very spontaneous opening powhiri is proof of a very successful exhibition. It was wonderful to see the high turn out to people both local and from regions in the far North to Hawkes Bay. Their strong presence is testimony to the mana of this exhibition." We would like to acknowledge and applaud Michelle for her sensitivity toward photographing Maori people to later project their image to the world".
Chris Bryant - Exhibitions Co-ordinator, Sandra Richmond - Director Te Taumata Art Gallery

"The wonder of these portraits is not simply in their clarity but in the way Moir has captured such a diversity of backgrounds. We are brought into the lives of these people and connected to them through the settings in which they are placed. We understand far more about each life than the word portrait would suggest.

A written text beside each photograph opens another window into each life." "This young photographers perception, in the brief time she spent with each subject, has somehow encapsulated and conveyed personality in an environment and atmosphere that seems well-suited to each individual.

It is emotionally empowering to walk into this gallery and be drawn into and identify with these distinctive personalities. Not only is this exhibition an artistic endeavour but in extending our social awareness in reminds us of the rich variety of our society."
Hawkes Bay Herald - Tribune

View images from the 'Images of Maori Women' Book >

Go to 'New Zealand Country Women' Book >