Gisborne-based artist Melanie Tangaere Baldwin has unveiled her latest solo exhibition, Ā Mua, at the Tairāwhiti Museum. The showcase features a departure from her previous multi-disciplinary work, focusing heavily on sculptural hand-stitched textile art that depicts powerful female forms, alongside light boxes exploring the symbolism of fire.
This exhibition highlights the continued evolution of Tangaere Baldwin’s practice and the importance of indigenous Ngāti Porou perspectives within the regional New Zealand art scene. By utilizing traditional hand-sewing techniques to address contemporary themes of femininity and elemental symbolism, the show reinforces the museum's role in elevating local Māori artists.