The acclaimed artist Maori Robyn Kahukiwa died

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Maori artist and author of the children's book Robyn Kahukiwa

The artist Maori and the author of the children’s book Robyn Kahukiwa died at the age of 87.
Photo: Supplied / Facebook

New Zealand painter Robyn Kahukiwa died.

The family announced their death on social media.

“Māreikura, Wahine Toa, and Tohunga Mahi toi Māori Robyn Kahukiwa-Of Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-A-Hauiti, Ngāti Konohi, and Te Whānau-a-U-Usa Desent Near, Wrapped in the Korowai of Aroha and Pouritanga of our Whmen. “

Kahukiwa was known for his bold representations of Maori figures, particularly women, incorporating elements of traditional Maori symbolism, usually in urban environments and often representing themes of activism. His works were shown in Aotearoa and abroad.

“My mother and our nanny Robyn were a brave Wahine toa throughout her life and her death,” the family said in a statement.

“She was a private person in her personal life. She always said, ‘My art speaks for me.'”

An image of Kahukiwa from his book Oriori.
Photo: Courtesy image of Robyn Kahukiwa

Kahukiwa, from Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-A-Hauiti, Ngāti Konohi and Te Whānau-a-RuatauPare Descent, was born in 1938 in Sydney, said an artist biography of Auckland’s art gallery.

“Since her first solo exhibition in 1971, she has been involved in representing Maori as a way to support the recovery of Tino Rangatratanga (sovereignty and self -determination),” he said.

She also wrote and illustrated children’s books, including collaborating with writer Patricia Grace.

2021 by Robyn Kahukiwa Mana Māori Motuhake.
Photo:

Marking an exhibition of his work near the end of 2024, in the Gallery Portrait of New Zealand, the gallery wrote: “Robyn Kahukiwa’s art works made a difference to the Maori. They provided not only beauty and strength, but Mātauranga’s stories are several accounts.

“His work has become an alternative visual rendering of Aotearoa’s history through the lens of a Maori woman. The title of Tohunga Mahi Toi is a form of recognition and refers to Robyn’s status and experience as an artist, valued here and internationally.”

In 2020, Kahukiwa was awarded Tohu Aroha Mō Te Arikinui Dame Te atairangikaahu, the exemplary/ supreme prize at Tei toi Awards for his work.

The family said in his statement: “You leave your great legacy of maori art and the taonga of your stories and illustrations for us, your whānau, your Mokopuna and future generations.”