The intentions of these four distinctly different artists are both political and poetic. They speak across diverse media to the importance of history and whakapapa in creating contemporary beliefs, thinking and meaning. All share an interest in whakapapa as a primary means of making sense of the world and their connection to self, others and the wider environment.

Entangled histories, the ancient and contemporary, and the place of place play out in all their work.

Brett Graham one of the country’s most eminent sculptors examines indigenous histories; Lonnie Hutchinson addresses whakapapa and hybridity. Cora-Allan Lafaiki Twiss takes customary traditions into contemporary art. Roger Mortimer combines foundational beliefs of the Western world with a deep respect for tangata whenua.