Concealed Ancestors – A solo exhibition by Margaret Aull

Concealed Ancestors is the solo exhibition by Waikato-based visual artist, Margaret Aull, co-curated by Nigel Borell and Ema Tavola for Papakura Art Gallery, South Auckland.

In this new body of work, Aull investigates the concept of tapu / tabu within both Maori and Fijian cultural frameworks. Inspired by research at the Fiji Museum, she explores visual representations of ancestors and deities, spiritual lore, mana and life force.

Utlising ochre used in the making of masi (traditional Fijian bark cloth), Aull incorporates the whenua / vanua within her work. Juxtaposed with imagery from Museum collections, she reclaims and re-activates meaning, creating visual mediations of her blurred genetic code.

Margaret Aull (Te Rarawa, Tuwharetoa, Fiji) has exhibited extensively in New Zealand since 2005 and is currently completing a Master of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design.

Read Ema Tavola’s curatorial response to Concealed Ancestors here

Check out Concealed Ancestors at Papakura Art Gallery (10 Averill Street, Papakura) from 12 January – 23 February 2013.

Listen to curator, Ema Tavola discuss the exhibition on Radio New Zealand (12 December 2012)

Public Programme

Artist Gathering
Exhibition Opening Reception and launch of SOUTH publication (Issue 2).
10.30am, Saturday 12 January

Fijians, Collecting, Tabu and the Fiji Museum
Fijian archeologist Tarisi Vunidilo, Secretary General for the Pacific Island Museums Association (PIMA), will discuss the concept of tapu / tabu surrounding collections and collecting, as well as Fijian attitudes towards museums.
TBC

Artist Floor Talk
Artist Margaret Aull will present an exhibition floor talk about all the works in “Concealed Ancestors”
10am, Saturday 9 February

Concealed Ancestors is proudly supported by

Margaret Aull
Te Rarawa, Tuwharetoa, Fiji

Born Auckland, 1980
Resides Te Awamutu, Waikato

Education
Master of Fine Arts, Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design, currently
Bachelor of Media Arts, Waikato Institute of Technology, 2006
Certificate in Whakairo, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, 2011

Selected Exhibitions
2012
Karanga, Chartwell Gallery, Hamilton

2011
Maori Art MARKet, Pataka Museum and Gallery, Wellington
diasporadic679, various locations in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland

2010
Native Coconut, Fresh Gallery Otara, Auckland
Matariki – Te Korikori, Chartwell Gallery, Hamilton
Free Apache: Virtual Indigenous Biennial, Allan Houser Foundation, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2009
Fiji Times, The Salon, Auckland
For Fiji, Ever Fiji, Fresh Gallery Otara, Auckland

2008
Vasu: Pacific Women of Power, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Na Kena Yali, Chartwell Gallery, Hamilton (solo exhibition)

2006
MAP 06, WINTEC, Hamilton

Art Collections
Waikato Museum of Art and History
Waikato Institute of Technology
Auckland Council
Te Wānanga of AotearoaandOpen Wānanga
Barry Hopkins Collection
Fiji Museum

Selected Achievements
2012 – Painting commission, Hamilton City Council
2011 – Graphic design and layout project management, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa – Mangere Site
2010 – Collaboration on Ngā Niho outdoor light sculptures, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa – Mangakotukutuku Site
2008 – Kia Tu Tonu, painting commission, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
2008 – Greatest Land Grab, painting commission, Barry Hopkins Private Collection
2007 – Appointed National Art Collection Registrar, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa / Open Wānanga
2006 – Shareholder for Gallery 8, Te Awamutu
2006 – Received Waikato Museum and Arts Posts Award for Academic Excellence
2005 – Student of the Year Special Award, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa – Apakura Site