The Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award is a competition that encourages emerging Māori artists to create portraits of their tūpuna (ancestors) in any medium. The Award was launched in August 2020 and is hosted and administered by the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata in honour of Kiingi Tuheitia.
The Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award provides emerging Māori artists with the opportunity to showcase their talents on the national stage, while also playing an important role in recording and celebrating tūpuna (ancestors) and their stories.
The Award culminated with an exhibition of finalist artworks at The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata in Wellington over a three month period, timed to coincide with Matariki 2021. Judging of the shortlisted works is undertaken by a distinguished panel at the opening of the exhibition.
The inaugural judges were Sir Derek Lardelli, Lisa Reihana and Kura Te Waru Rewiri
A selection of the finalists are currently touring Aotearoa. See Touring Exhibitions for details.
The Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award is generously supported by
THE OFFICE OF THE KIINGITANGA
BETHLEHEM CHARITABLE TRUST
TURANGAWAEWAE MARAE TRUST
CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND
WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
Winner
Bodie Friend
Nana Pat, 2020
(Pat Kingi)
Photography
Runner up
Te Haunui Tuna
Survival, 2020
(Tamarau Waiari)
Digital Drawing/Video
Finalists
