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{{Short description|New Zealand artist (1904–1971)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox artist
{{Infobox artist
| name = Mary Wi Repa
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Mary Wi Repa
| image = Mary Wirepa.jpg
| honorific_suffix =
| alt =
| caption =
| image = Mary Wirepa.jpg
| birth_name = Mary Gundry
| alt =
| birth_date = 1904
| caption =
| birth_place = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
| birth_name = Mary Gundry
| death_date = {{death date and age|1971|1904}}
| birth_date = 1904
| death_place = Auckland
| birth_place = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
| resting_place = Opotiki
| death_date = 1971
| death_place = Auckland
| resting_place = Opotiki
| resting_place_coordinates =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| nationality = New Zealand
| nationality = New Zealand
| education =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| alma_mater =
| known_for = [[Painting]]
| known_for = [[Painting]]
| notable_works = Otoko, Gisborne
| notable_works = Otoko, Gisborne
| style = Realism, Romanticism, Modernism
| movement = Realism, Romanticism, Modernism
| spouse = Romio Wi Repa
| movement = Landscape Artist
| spouse = Romio Wi Repa
| awards =
| partner =
| awards =
| elected =
| patrons =
| memorials =
| website =
| module =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
}}
}}


'''Mary Wirepa''' (1904–1971), also known as Mary Wi Repa, was a visual artist of [[Māori people|Māori]] descent born in [[Auckland]], New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artist/224/mary-wirepa|title=Mary Wirepa|work=Auckland Art Gallery|access-date=17 September 2017|language=en}}</ref> She was fluent in both Maori and English.
'''Mary Wirepa''' (1904–1971; Ngāti Apa), also known as Mary Wi Repa, was a painter born in [[Auckland]], New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artist/224/mary-wirepa|title=Mary Wirepa|work=Auckland Art Gallery|access-date=17 September 2017|language=en}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
Growing up Mary Wi Repa had a love of music and only began painting seriously around 1958, when she was in her 50s. She developed a love of landscape painting, particularly romanticism combined with an interpretive realism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://new.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=224497|title=Mary Wirepa|website=ngataonga.org.nz|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> Wi Repa had planned to attend the [[Elam School of Fine Arts]] at the University of Auckland, and applied for a tuition grant from [[Minister for Māori Development|Māori Affairs]], however she decided against attending.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/385240|title=Mary Wirepa|website=collections.tepapa.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>
Growing up, Mary Wirepa had a love of music but pursued painting later in life, when she was in her fifties. In 1956, at the age of 52, Wirepa submitted a painting to an art competition at the A & P Show in Ōpōtiki and emerged as the winner.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Waite |first=Julia |title=Modern Women: Flight of Time |publisher=Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki |year=2024 |isbn=978-0-86463-344-6 |location=Auckland |pages=217}}</ref> She continued to paint from 1956 until her passing in 1971. Wirepa went on to enter the Kelliher Art Exhibition several times and held multiple exhibitions around New Zealand.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=NZ Press Association |title=Maori artist dead |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19710806.2.46.2 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> She developed a love of landscape painting, particularly romanticism combined with interpretive realism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://new.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=224497|title=Mary Wirepa|website=ngataonga.org.nz|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> By the time she died, Wirepa was considered a leading Māori landscape artist.<ref name=":3" />


Wirepa's family had a history of artists, and she believed her talent particularly came from her great-uncle [[Arthur Gundry]] who attended the Royal Academy of London between 1866-68 and had been mentored by [[Joseph Jenner Merrett]].<ref name=":2" /> In her earlier life, Wirepa had planned to attend the [[Elam School of Fine Arts]] at the University of Auckland and applied for a tuition grant from [[Minister for Māori Development|Māori Affairs]]. However she ultimately decided against attending.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/385240|title=Mary Wirepa|website=collections.tepapa.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>
Although of [[Māori people|Māori]] ancestry, Wi Repa preferred not to directly reference her culture, but rather to draw her inspiration from the environment around her.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artwork/7758/otoko-gisborne|title=Otoko, Gisborne|work=Auckland Art Gallery|access-date=17 September 2017|language=en}}</ref> Her works often include cloud imagery or landscapes, including the piece ''Otoko, Gisborne'' (date unknown).<ref name=":1" /> She believed her talent came through from her grand uncle [[Arthur Gundry]] who had been accepted into the Royal Academy of London in the 19th century who had been mentored by [[Joseph Jenner Merrett]].

Wi Repa exhibited at the [[Willeston Galleries]] (Wellington) in 1964<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://natlib.govt.nz/records/36390237?search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Wi+Repa%2C+Mary%2C+1904-1971&search%5Bil%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-316612&search%5Bpath%5D=items|title=Mary Wi Repa, and Selwyn Muru posing in the Public Library, Wellington|website=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://natlib.govt.nz/records/36390254?search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Wi+Repa%2C+Mary%2C+1904-1971&search%5Bil%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-316612&search%5Bpath%5D=items|title=Paintings by Mary Wi Repa, Willeston Galleries, Wellington|website=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> and her pieces are included in the [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]].<ref name=":0" />


Her works often include cloud imagery or landscapes, including the piece ''Otoko, Gisborne'' (date unknown).<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Otoko, Gisborne |url=https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artwork/7758/otoko-gisborne |access-date=17 September 2017 |work=Auckland Art Gallery |language=en}}</ref> Wirepa exhibited at the [[Willeston Galleries]] (Wellington) in 1964,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://natlib.govt.nz/records/36390237?search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Wi+Repa%2C+Mary%2C+1904-1971&search%5Bil%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-316612&search%5Bpath%5D=items|title=Mary Wi Repa, and Selwyn Muru posing in the Public Library, Wellington|website=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://natlib.govt.nz/records/36390254?search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Wi+Repa%2C+Mary%2C+1904-1971&search%5Bil%5D%5Bname_authority_id%5D=-316612&search%5Bpath%5D=items|title=Paintings by Mary Wi Repa, Willeston Galleries, Wellington|website=National Library of New Zealand|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> and her pieces are included in the [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]].<ref name=":0" /> She also received painting assignments from Britain, Canada and the United States.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> One American collector commissioned 100 paintings from Wirepa.<ref name=":2" />
== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Wirepa's [[whakapapa]] traces connections to [[Ōpōtiki|Ōpotiki]] in the [[Bay of Plenty Region|Bay of Plenty]] through her father and to Matakōwhai Bay and Kāwhia through her mother. Wirepa's mother, Alice Wade, was involved in the [[Māori King movement|Kingitanga]] movement, and Alice signed the 1893 petition to extend the authorisation to New Zealand women.<ref name=":2" />
Wi Repa married at the age of nineteen to Romio Wi Repa and had nine children while living in Whanarua Bay, the subject of many of her paintings. Four of her children were artists, namely first born Edward WiRepa Arthur Wi Repa, Kathleen Neenee, Rosemary Connell, [[Alice Bernadette Higgins]] as well as her grandson [[Ivan Wi Repa]] who was known as a classical pianist in the Māori music industry / community.<ref name=":0" />

Wirepa married Romio Wirepa at the age of nineteen and had nine children while living in Whanarua Bay, the subject of many of her paintings. Four of her children were artists, namely firstborn Edward Wirepa, Arthur Wirepa, Kathleen Neenee, Rosemary Connell, [[Alice Bernadette Higgins]], as well as her grandson [[Ivan Wi Repa|Ivan Wirepa]], who was known as a classical pianist in the Māori music industry/community.<ref name=":0" />


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:New Zealand painters]]
[[Category:New Zealand painters]]
[[Category:New Zealand Māori artists]]
[[Category:New Zealand Māori artists]]
[[Category:People from Auckland]]
[[Category:Artists from Auckland]]
[[Category:People associated with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]]
[[Category:People associated with the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]]
[[Category:New Zealand women painters]]
[[Category:New Zealand women painters]]

Latest revision as of 20:11, 4 December 2024

Mary Wi Repa
Born
Mary Gundry

1904
Auckland, New Zealand
Died1971(1971-00-00) (aged 66–67)
Auckland
Resting placeOpotiki
NationalityNew Zealand
Known forPainting
Notable workOtoko, Gisborne
MovementRealism, Romanticism, Modernism
SpouseRomio Wi Repa

Mary Wirepa (1904–1971; Ngāti Apa), also known as Mary Wi Repa, was a painter born in Auckland, New Zealand.[1]

Career

[edit]

Growing up, Mary Wirepa had a love of music but pursued painting later in life, when she was in her fifties. In 1956, at the age of 52, Wirepa submitted a painting to an art competition at the A & P Show in Ōpōtiki and emerged as the winner.[2] She continued to paint from 1956 until her passing in 1971. Wirepa went on to enter the Kelliher Art Exhibition several times and held multiple exhibitions around New Zealand.[3] She developed a love of landscape painting, particularly romanticism combined with interpretive realism.[4] By the time she died, Wirepa was considered a leading Māori landscape artist.[3]

Wirepa's family had a history of artists, and she believed her talent particularly came from her great-uncle Arthur Gundry who attended the Royal Academy of London between 1866-68 and had been mentored by Joseph Jenner Merrett.[2] In her earlier life, Wirepa had planned to attend the Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland and applied for a tuition grant from Māori Affairs. However she ultimately decided against attending.[5]

Her works often include cloud imagery or landscapes, including the piece Otoko, Gisborne (date unknown).[6] Wirepa exhibited at the Willeston Galleries (Wellington) in 1964,[7][8] and her pieces are included in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[5] She also received painting assignments from Britain, Canada and the United States.[3][2] One American collector commissioned 100 paintings from Wirepa.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Wirepa's whakapapa traces connections to Ōpotiki in the Bay of Plenty through her father and to Matakōwhai Bay and Kāwhia through her mother. Wirepa's mother, Alice Wade, was involved in the Kingitanga movement, and Alice signed the 1893 petition to extend the authorisation to New Zealand women.[2]

Wirepa married Romio Wirepa at the age of nineteen and had nine children while living in Whanarua Bay, the subject of many of her paintings. Four of her children were artists, namely firstborn Edward Wirepa, Arthur Wirepa, Kathleen Neenee, Rosemary Connell, Alice Bernadette Higgins, as well as her grandson Ivan Wirepa, who was known as a classical pianist in the Māori music industry/community.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mary Wirepa". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e Waite, Julia (2024). Modern Women: Flight of Time. Auckland: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. p. 217. ISBN 978-0-86463-344-6.
  3. ^ a b c NZ Press Association. "Maori artist dead". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Mary Wirepa". ngataonga.org.nz. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "Mary Wirepa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Otoko, Gisborne". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Mary Wi Repa, and Selwyn Muru posing in the Public Library, Wellington". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Paintings by Mary Wi Repa, Willeston Galleries, Wellington". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 17 September 2017.

Further reading

[edit]

Artist files for Mary Wi Repa are held at: