Whenua

The landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand have long been a powerful source of inspiration for artists. This major new book explores the importance of
whenua in our art history through the work of more than 100 of this country’s most celebrated artists.
Beginning in Te Waipounamu, our greenstone isle, and reaching outwards, across Aotearoa and beyond to Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Pacific, thoughtfully explores ideas of identity and belonging, kaitiakitaka, land use, migration, environmentalism and activism through a selection of important historical and contemporary artworks.
A vibrant and very readable range of texts, interviews and perspectives by leading writers—including Su Ballard, Emalani Case, Huhana Smith, Cosmo Kentish-Barnes, Lily Lee, Hana O’Regan, Rebecca Rice, Matariki Williams and many more—provides insight into the many ways that whenua is fundamental to the visual language and identity of the arts in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Artists include:
Mark Adams
Rita Angus
John Gibb
Bill Hammond
Louise Henderson Ralph Hotere
Lonnie Hutchinson Robyn Kahukiwa
Emily Karaka
Doris Lusk
Riki Manuel
Colin McCahon
John Miller
Buck Nin
John Pule
Bridget Reweti
Baye Pewhairangi Riddell Olivia Spencer Bower Margaret Stoddart
Bill Sutton
Wi Taepa
Areta Wilkinson
and many, many more