Shannon Te Ao: Tā“nei Ao Kawa Nei

Shannon Te Ao two shoots that stretch far out (video still) 2013–14. HD video, single-channel, 13.22min, colour, stereo sound. Courtesy of the artist and Robert Heald Gallery, Wellington

Shannon Te Ao Untitled (malady) (video still) 2016. HD video, single-channel, 13:16min, colour. Courtesy of the artist and Robert Heald Gallery, Wellington

This exhibition is now closed

Tenderness and human longing are revealed in Shannon Te Ao’s award-winning video installations.

Shannon Te Ao is of Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent and one of New Zealand’s leading artists working in performance and video installation. Working from within the Māori paradigm, Te Ao produces sensual cinematic experiences. He is interested in the varied social implications formed when text is presented in performance, video installation or printed works and his works are honest, unmediated and intimate in their response to human tenderness and longing. Te Ao reveals an essential human beauty seldom seen in contemporary art through colour, sound and performance. The Wellington-based artist won the 2016 Walters Prize, New Zealand’s most prestigious contemporary art award for the works two shoots that stretch far out (2013–14) and okea ururoatia (never say die) (2016)

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Date:
11 March – 23 July 2017
Curator:
Nathan Pōhio
Exhibition number:
1034
Contemporary Art Partner

Collection works in this exhibition

2 items

Untitled (malady)

Shannon Te Ao

tēnei ao kawa nei

Shannon Te Ao

Related reading: EY, Walters Prize

Director's Foreword

Welcome to 2017! We’ve all bounced back to work at our favourite gallery – and we’ve loved seeing a range of familiar faces at our exhibitions and events as well as the many new visitors enjoying what we have on display.

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Interview

A Torch and a Light

Shannon Te Ao is an artist of Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent. In 2016 Te Ao won the Walters Prize for his works, two shoots that stretch far out (2013–14) and okea ururoatia (never say die) (2016). Working in video and other performative practices Te Ao investigates the implications of various social and linguistic modes. Assistant curator Nathan Pohio, himself a nominee for the 2016 Walters Prize, discussed working practice with Te Ao in December 2016.

Continued