Awe Māreikura

'Me aro koe ki te hā o Hineahuone'
Pay heed to the dignity and power of women

Awe Māreikura is premised upon the mana of wāhine and refers to māreikura, the supernatural feminine beings that reside in the uppermost of the twelve heavens, acting as messengers to all realms in creation.

Christine and Jessica have run Awe Māreikura in the prison’s Huritini Unit since early 2023, working with a range of media including visual arts, uku/clay, raranga/weaving, and tukutuku. For many of the wāhine artists, Awe Māreikura is the first opportunity they have had to create and exhibit mahi toi. The artists of the artworks have not been identified in order to maintain their anonymity and protect their victims and whanau/families. 

The artworks speak to themes of identity, connection, loss, and the mana of wāhine. Traditional and contemporary materials come together in an expression of agency and creativity. 

You are invited to engage with these artworks not simply as objects, but as messages from beyond the wire.