'Seven Sisters of Matariki: an exhibition' is a collaboration between Auckland Libraries and Soldier Rd Portrait artists, Taaniko and Vienna Nordstrom.
The exhibition came about as Auckland Libraries' response to encourage learning about kaitiakitanga (guardianship), whakawhanaungatanga (relationships), rangatiratanga (sovereignty), and mana wāhine.
Taaniko and Vienna have been making their mark in the art scene as Soldier Rd Portraits for the past few years with their unique blend of Māori and other cultural elements in their images.
In this exhibition, they've captured seven Māori library staff representing each star of the Matariki cluster, which included:
Jennifer Barnett - Community Library Manager, Manurewa
Jamie-Lee Kingi - Library Assistant, Botany
Lawren Matrix - Librarian Children and Youth, Matariki Clendon
Anahera Sadler - Pou Whakahaere, Māori Service Development
Tania Scurr - Librarian Children and Youth, Glen Eden
Daena Walker - Libraries Advisor Life Long Learning, Service Development
Kirsty Webb - Team Leader, North Auckland Research Centre
The overall work was curated by Rachelle Forbes, Kaiwhakahaere Māori for Auckland Libraries.
Auckland Libraries believes it's important Māori women are able to tell their own Māori stories through the eyes of women.
The exhibition is on from 28 June - 19 September at the Waitākere Central Library in Auckland.
You can now view the portraits on the Soldier Rd Portraits facebook page.
Click here for more info on the exhibition, and here, the Nordstrom ladies featured on the first episode of the TV Series, 'Te Iti Kahurangi: The Journey To Success' (9:10) earlier this year.