Whole Gallery

12 January – 7 March

PAPANGAKAU | FROM THE HEART - Juanita Crawford | Tamati Holmes | Michelle Mataira

Juanita Crawford (Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, Te Arawa) is a local artist, recent Maunga Kura Toi, Bachelor of Maori Visual Art graduate and the inaugural artist-in-residence at the Hastings Arts Centre. The residency will run at the Arts Centre from 12 January to 7 March. Residencies provide space and time for artists to develop their practice and build community. 

My mahi toi during my degree has been a healing journey and one of fully realizing the healing benefits of being a practitioner of Māori Visual Arts. My kaupapa mahi toi compels me to explore, discover and implement love and light where there once was grief and sorrow. This has allowed me to heal and transform myself and my practice and development as a tauira (student) looking to the future as an Artist. For me Te Ao Maori values and narratives within this movement have brought to fruition all the many repositories and connections of my Whakapapa, Mātauranga and Whānau values while navigating my creative journey. Growing up in Maunga Wharau (Havelock North) has fostered an inner resilience. This is home and an integral part of my practice as an emerging artist in Ngāti Kahungunu.

Toi Te Mana

Uplift the prestige 

Toi Te Whenua

Honour the land 

Toi Ngā Mahi Toi

Esteem the arts

Toi Te Tangata

Empower the people

Rukuhia te ata o te whakairo

Rukuhia te ata o te wānanga

Rukuhia te ata o te wharekura

Whano whano haramai te toki

Haumi e, hui e tāiki e! 

An accompanying exhibition showcasing their work, with guests Tamati Holmes and Michelle Mataira will be on display from 26 January to 7 February. We invite you to join us as we kick off the 2026 exhibition programme with one of Hawke's Bay's rising creative stars.

'Te Arai' - Juanita Crawford

Juanita Crawford | 021 0895 4263 | juanitacrawfordtoimanaia@outlook.com