The forest-dwelling tīeke belongs to Aotearoa New Zealand's unique wattlebird family, an ancient group that includes the endangered kōkako and extinct huia. Once abundant, it declined sharply following the arrival of people, due to introduced predators and habitat loss. Separate tīeke species live in our two largest islands, with the most endangered South Island variety depicted here in adult and juvenile (jackbird) form. Tīeke came close to extinction in the 1960s, saved only through the efforts of the New Zealand Wildlife Service and local iwi.

Johannes Gerardus Keulemans (also known as John Gerrard Keulemans or J.G. Keulemans) was a renowned bird artist, famed for his accuracy. He illustrated Walter Lawry Buller’s 1873 book 'A History of the Birds of New Zealand' but never came to Aotearoa, instead working from specimens and stuffed birds provided by Buller.

tīeke ~ saddleback

iwi ~ tribes

(He Kapuka Oneone – A Handful of Soil, 2025)

Johannes Gerardus Keulemans (also known as John Gerrard Keulemans or J.G. Keulemans) was a renowned bird artist, famed for his accuracy. He illustrated Walter Lawry Buller’s 1873 book 'A History of the Birds of New Zealand' but never came to Aotearoa, instead working from specimens and stuffed birds provided by Buller.

Electric fired stoneware

This mixed media work was part of Langford’s solo exhibition The Quietening at the end of her tenure as OSB artist in residence. The exhibition included a site specific construction as well as several works on board. Langford’s use of found materials such as plastic shopping bags, food, photographs and other everyday items, are transformed into magical environments or possibilities. The Quietening makes use of twisted plastic to create an enfolding arrangement or meditation. Like cumulus clouds, descending waterfalls or billowing fabric enlivened by the wind, white plastic is juxtaposed with delicate linear articulations. Langford likes to create a tension between the real and the fantastic.