Local artist makes short list

Jamie Berry from Johnsonville has been selected as a finalist in the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award for her work “My nanny Huia”.

Attached is an image of Jamie’s work, as well as an artist statement:

“My nanny Huia, worked for Wattie’s as a labourer for 20 years and was a friend of J.Wattie,” Jamie says.

“She became sick and as a farewell present, they sent her on a trip to the Pacific Islands.

“On her arrival home, she reported to J.Wattie why their products were not selling. Their product didn’t match the vibrance of the Islands, which sparked a new branding direction.

“Inspired by her doctor and nurses at Chelsea Hospital she became a nurse.”

Jamie is a multidisciplinary artist who creates work that examines Aotearoa histories while reflecting on her identity and place within the current timeline.

Jamie’s practice is based on her whakapapa, past, present, and future-focused. Her work involves eimagining these stories through digital content, DNA soundscape, moving images, and installation.

In her work, Jamie explores visual elements that are an experimentation of light, colour, and motifs and is known for wielding light in dark spaces to create a dramatic impression of movement and life, and is paired with audio soundscapes that resonate and drive the narrative.

The award, a partnership between the

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Office of the Kiingitanga and the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te P kenga Whakaata, was launched in 2020 to inspire a new generation of emerging M ori artists to create portraits of their t puna (ancestors). The competition attracted an impressive 96 entries, of which 44 have been selected for the short list and will form the finalists exhibition.

Artists were given an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage while competing for a first prize of $20,000. The runner-up and Forsyth Barr people’s choice award provide $2,500 each.

The finalists’ artworks were selected by a distinguished panel comprising renowned artists who will judge and announce the winners at the opening of the exhibition.

The judges are multi-disciplinary, portrait artist Graham Hoete aka “Mr G” (Ngati Awa, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui), researcher, artist, arts educator and curator, Steve Gibbs (N manuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Rongomaiwahine), and artist Lisa Reihana (Ng Puhi, Ng Hine, Nteauru, N i Tupoto), who is known around the world for her portraits and digital art.

The winning artworks will be announced on Wednesday 24 May and the exhibition will be shown at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te kenga Whakata in Shed 11 on Wellington’s waterfront from Thursday 25 May to Sunday 20 August, entry is free. Finalist artworks will then tour the country. The full list of finalists can be found at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery website.

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