Our Wellington and Manawatū campuses are open, Auckland remains closed at AL4. More information.
Whiti o Rehua
School of Art
Study
Whiti o Rehua School of Art offers exciting undergraduate and postgraduate pathways including contemporary art (across all media and processes), photography, matauranga Māori, visual and material culture.
Research
Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of contemporary art and examining the intersection of art and important social, cultural, environment and political issues.
Whether you’re a student or research partner, you’ll benefit from the expertise of our internationally recognised researchers.
Meet our students
Chev found his strength in bringing together his art and his whakapapa. With a passion for cultural identity and social ethnography, his emerging creative career has involved advertising, journalism, mural and documentary projects.
In 2017 he won the Ngā Manu Pīrere award for emerging Māori artists at Te Waka Toi Awards.
Chevron Te Whetumatarau Hassett
Bachelor of Design (Hons) (Photography)
Isabella took a round about route to her career as an artist, having first started her studies in veterinary science, before moving onto design, and finally committing to fine art.
Since graduating Isabella has exhibited at Toi Poneke with her solo show ‘I do not want to be a fool’, and in a group show ‘The Tomorrow People’ at the Adam Art gallery, and at the Auckland Art Fair.
Isabella Loudon
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons)
Long before Jordana Bragg graduated from Massey she had contributed to numerous panel discussions, group shows, and exhibited her final year project in the main foyer of the Christchurch City Council building. Jordana now works at City Gallery Wellington as a host and audiovisual technician; is a member of the Enjoy Public Art Gallery trust board and a founding member of the new artist-led initiative Meanwhile Gallery in Wellington; and is involved in the exchange programme between Wellington and Germany - Friends Are Artists/Freunde Sind Kūnstler.
Jordana Bragg
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons)
Liang Cui’s creative practice PhD research investigates her vicarious experience as inherited from the imposition of normative sexual behaviour on her mother in China in the 1960s and 70s. The geographical and cultural displacement, from China to New Zealand, has provided Liang Cui with an opportunity to reflect on her experiences. The research aims to re-narrativise her own sexuality through art practice as a means to understand its construction.
Liang Cui
Doctor of Philosophy
Mizuho Nishioka PhD thesis, "A String of Data: Disrupting, altering and generating the photographic image” addressed how photographic technology is historically presented as a series of subliminal transactions in the production of the photographic image. Mizuho’ thesis examined how making photographic works can harness such technological processes to alter the aesthetic and theoretical positioning of a contemporary photographic practice.
Mizuho Nishioka
Doctor of Philosophy
“When I started I was really passionate about painting but the course offered other art forms like photography and media studies which meant that over the years my passion changed and I started creating videos.” After graduating Puawai went on to become one of the presenters on iconic youth TV show Pukana and has a growing online audience for her ‘Hey Puawai’ videos. She credits her success to the course that awakened her passion for performance art.
Puawai Taiapa-Aporo
Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts
Raewyn’s PhD research developed biopolymer painting mediums and substrates. She is working with polymer scientists to develop a range of material qualities, pigmentations, and sensitivities within paint films. Her work moves between painting and science methodologies and knowledge systems, seeking to understand how processes of entropy and empathy are intertwined within phenomenological experience.
Raewyn Martyn
Doctor of Philosophy
Research and partnerships
Te Whare Hera Wellington International Artist Residency
The International Artist Residency Te Whare Hēra is an invitation-only visiting artist programme open to practitioners working in the field of contemporary art. We bring international artists to live, work and exhibit in our capital city Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington.
The Te Whare Hēra programme supports artists to research, develop and produce a new and innovative contemporary art project.
Artists also contribute vitally to the academic programmes of Whiti o Rehua School of Art exposing students to their creative processes and cross-disciplinary practices.
The Engine Room
The Engine Room operates as a project space for Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Massey University, Wellington.
It mounts a programme of exhibition projects from New Zealand and international contemporary artists.
Exhibitions and performances are regularly complemented by artist talks and discussions.
The Engine Room is open Monday to Friday, 12–4pm during semester times.
Facilities
Workshops
Students can access a number of workshops on campus, alongside technical staff who will introduce them to the equipment and assist them if required. Equipment in the fine arts workshop includes a range of wood and metal working machinery, hand tools, a spray booth and casting area.
Darkrooms and Printmaking studio
Students have access to black and white darkrooms for film processing and black and white printing. There are also darkrooms available for alternative processes such as cyanotype and salt printmaking. The printmaking studio includes a laser cutter, vinyl cutter, metal and wooden type, cylinder and platen presses, as well as screen printing equipment.
Gallery spaces
Students studying fine arts, Māori visual arts and photography have access to gallery spaces where they can exhibit or test their work.
Computer labs and video editing suite
Students have ready access to computer labs where they can use the latest software to scan film, edit video, audio and photography, and create 3D models. The College also has a state-of-the-art audio and video postproduction suite with all the gear needed for students to create very high quality media.
Awards
Associate Professor Ann Shelton’s major book “Dark Matter” was awarded the Art Association of New Zealand and Australia 'Best Large Exhibition Catalogue Prize' in 2017. This acknowledges originality, intellectual rigour and excellence in catalogue design, layout and image reproduction.
Ann Shelton
The Art Association of New Zealand and Australia (AAANZ)
Professor Bob Jahnke was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 for his contribution to Māori art and education.
Professor Bob Jahnke (Ngai Taharora, Te Whanau a Iritekura, Te Whanau a Rakairo o Ngati Porou)
The New Zealand Order of Merit
Distinguished Professor Anne Noble was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to photography in 2003 and became a New Zealand Arts Foundation Laureate in 2009.
Professor Anne Noble
The New Zealand Order of Merit
As a new graduate in 2017 Chev’s work was recognised when he was awarded joint winner of the Ngā Manu Pīrere at the Te Waka Toi awards, which celebrates early career achievements by young Māori artists.
Chevron Te Whetumatarau Hassett (Ngati Porou, Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Kahungunu ki Mahia)
Te Waka Toi Awards
In 2016 lecturer Shannon Te Ao (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) was awarded the Walters Art Prize, arguably New Zealand's most prestigious art award, for his two artworks; 'Two shoots that stretch far out' (2013-14) and 'Okea ururoatia (never say die)' (2016).
Shannon Te Ao
Walters Art Prize
Staff and careers
Head of Whiti o Rehua School of Art
Professor HUHANA SMITH
Huhana Smith is a visual artist, curator and principle investigator in research who engages in major environmental, trans-disciplinary, kaupapa Māori and action-research projects.
College of Creative Arts
Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts at Massey University is a world-class art and design school based in Wellington, New Zealand.