Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahu
Member of Toi Whakaata & Toi Tūwharetoa

Vanessawairataedwardsart.com

Vanessa Wairata Edwards is a printmaker and graduate of Taupo Quay school of fine arts, Whanganui, 2002. Based in Whanganui Edwards has been making and exhibiting throughout New Zealand and beyond ever since.  A founding member of Toi Whakaata Māori Print collective (2006), Edwards has been a part of the NZ print conversation for over 15 years and has represented Māori printmaking in several contexts. Her passion for printmaking as a indigenous form of expression has seen Edwards develop and refine what it is to approach print as an indigenous Māori.  Her works explore concepts around ongoing acts of self-determination, authentic connection and cultural sovereignty.  
Edwards looks forward to being a part of Te Ātinga and creating opportunities for Māori artists and their artforms to be seen and acknowledged within their own communities, hapū and beyond.