Michelle Morunga
Nga Puhi
Hokianga artist, Michelle Morunga is a high achiever. Her most recent accomplishments include a BAA Bachelor Applied Arts Degree (visual) North Tec Kerikeri 2014 and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) 2015.
Michelle has also expanded her knowledge across several art genres, attending workshops for printmaking, mould making, jewellery, painting, wood carving, stain glass and paper making. For 13 years Michelle has exhibited works in Northland. Her first solo exhibition was ‘Paintings’ at the Boatshed Gallery & Café, Rawene in 2007 and most recently in ‘Waitangi Exhibiting Artist’ at the Waitangi Grounds in February this year.
Michelle teaches art at Te Kura Kaupapa o Hokianga and, nine years on this continues to be her focus which has meant being less active in exhibiting circles.
“The importance of whanau, identity and significance of place, continue to be the major themes in my work. I believe my art encompasses who I am. I make from my heart and what speaks to my wairua, from my place, where I am, who I am. “It is said that… ‘ If you do not know your family’s history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree’. I like to think I am protecting and nourishing that tree.”
The leaf continues to be Michelle’s signature medium for exploration and expression of ideas around identity, belonging and whakapapa (genealogy). http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/maori-art-exhibition-labelled-racist-some-devonport-locals
http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/hokianga-artists-take-fore
Hokianga artist, Michelle Morunga is a high achiever. Her most recent accomplishments include a BAA Bachelor Applied Arts Degree (visual) North Tec Kerikeri 2014 and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) 2015.
Michelle has also expanded her knowledge across several art genres, attending workshops for printmaking, mould making, jewellery, painting, wood carving, stain glass and paper making. For 13 years Michelle has exhibited works in Northland. Her first solo exhibition was ‘Paintings’ at the Boatshed Gallery & Café, Rawene in 2007 and most recently in ‘Waitangi Exhibiting Artist’ at the Waitangi Grounds in February this year.
Michelle teaches art at Te Kura Kaupapa o Hokianga and, nine years on this continues to be her focus which has meant being less active in exhibiting circles.
“The importance of whanau, identity and significance of place, continue to be the major themes in my work. I believe my art encompasses who I am. I make from my heart and what speaks to my wairua, from my place, where I am, who I am. “It is said that… ‘ If you do not know your family’s history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree’. I like to think I am protecting and nourishing that tree.”
The leaf continues to be Michelle’s signature medium for exploration and expression of ideas around identity, belonging and whakapapa (genealogy). http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/maori-art-exhibition-labelled-racist-some-devonport-locals
http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/hokianga-artists-take-fore