Remembering those in the Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific art world

A black and white photo of a man looking at the camera.

Selwyn Muru, 1937–2024

Selwyn Muru, (Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupōuri, Te Pātū, Ngāti Rēhia, Muri Kahara, Te Whakatōhea) passed away in January 2024. Muru was a gifted and influential artist, as well as a writer, broadcaster, teacher and orator. Here, Contemporary Art Curator Hanahiva Rose reflects on Muru’s work and legacy.

A man standing behind transparent curtains.

Jim Allen, artist, 1922–2023

New Zealand artist, teacher, and critic Jim Allen passed away on the 9th of June, at the age of 100. Allen was one of the most influential, visionary figures of his generation. Here Curator Modern Art Lizzie Bisley and Curator Contemporary Art Nina Tonga reflect on his work and remarkable legacy.

A black and white portrait of a woman looking at the camera with her chin resting on her hand.

Ans Westra, photographer (1936–2023)

New Zealand photographer Ans Westra passed away on 26 February 2023 at age 86. Here curator of photography Athol McCredie reflects on some aspects of Westra’s work.

An older woman is sitting at a desk with plant illustrations in front of her. She is smiling at the camera.

Audrey Eagle (1925–2022), botanical illustrator and author

We are saddened to hear of the recent death of New Zealand botanical illustrator and author, Audrey Eagle (1925–2022).

John Edgar ONZM, 1950–2021

Stone carver, sculptor and environmentalist, John Edgar has been a central figure in stone carving since the early 1980s. Here, Curator Decorative Art and Design Justine Olsen reflects on Edgar’s rich practice and influence on Aotearoa New Zealand’s stone carving and sculpting.

Remembering Marti Friedlander

It is with sadness that we at Te Papa learned photographer Marti Friedlander passed away in Auckland on Monday 15 November.

Dr Alan Baker with a whale skull. Dominion post (Newspaper) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers. Ref: EP/1981/1170/15-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23160357

Remembering Alan Baker, the last Director of National Museum of New Zealand

Thu 26 Oct 2017

It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of another of our former senior staff members: Dr Alan Baker, the last Director of the National Museum of New Zealand.

News He pānui

Watercolour painting of three people squeezed into a blue car. A women is in the middle and two men in white T-shirt with blue stripes sit either side of her

Douglas MacDiarmid

We warmly remember Douglas MacDiarmid (1922–2020) with six colourful sketches he drew of his friend Helen Hitchings hitchhiking through France in 1953.

Closed

4 Nov 2020 – 15 Jan 2021

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

A head and shoulders photo of a man in a suit smiling at the camera.

Te Papa Pays Tribute to a Pioneering Art Scholar and Valued Mentor

13 October 2014 – It is with great sadness that Te Papa acknowledges the death of Professor Jonathan Mane-Wheoki (CNZM), the national museum’s Head of Arts & Visual Culture.