Hikurangi Edwards

Ngāruahine, Te Whānau-Ā-Apanui & Ngāti Porou

From her Wellington home studio, Hikurangi Edwards meticulously hand-carves Māori designs into several layers of paint. The technique she calls mahi whakairo peita or paint carving, puts a modern spin on, & challenges the traditional wood art form, allowing Hikurangi to tell the stories & explore the passions that are important to her.

Hikurangi started carving in 2021 while on maternity leave with her second child. She describes herself as a ‘typical corporate by day & creative by night’. Prior to having her children, she worked at Parliament for several Ministers over a four-year period. Hikurangi also has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Victoria University.

Often guided by her tīpuna, she uses contrasting colours to acknowledge contemporary lifestyles, whilst telling stories of the past, present, & future. The soft, yet confident curves of the koru give depth & texture, drawing you in to an art that must be touched. All of which speaks to the dichotomy of the two worlds she navigates.

We are proud to support, Hikurangi Edwards!