Areta Wilkinson: Waka Huia

Waka Huia is a treasure trove of precious jewellery, objects, and stories created by leading New Zealand jeweller Areta Wilkinson, on display at the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery from 17 October 2009 – 14 March 2010.

The exhibition explores Wilkinson’s return to her spiritual home of Ngai Tahu, and reflects the cultural landscapes through which she travels.

Wilkinson has developed a new element of Waka Huia for Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery viewers. These works adopt the tradition of carte de visite: travel photographs of family and loved ones. Wilkinson’s pictorial devices relate through whakapapa and legend, unlocking deeper narratives for the objects of Waka Huia.

It is an exciting time to be working with Areta Wilkinson, one of this country’s leading Maori artists, who is fresh from receiving one of New Zealand’s most prestigious awards for contemporary jewellery – The New Dowse Gold Award.