Kura Puke

Kura Puke

Associate Dean - Māori, Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts

Kura Puke is a researcher in both artistic and written form who works across the fields of Māori visual culture, technology, art and design. Her work investigates creative and innovative contributions to aesthetics and cultural and environmental sustainability. Teaching areas include critical studies, visual/material culture, art, and Māori visual culture.

  • Research Highlights

    He Manawa Whenua:  Indigenous Research Conference, July 2013, Waikato University.
    Oral/visual presentation: ‘Innovative technologies for cultural illumination’. This paper provided examples of her projects and discussed how technology can function as visualisation of fundamental ‘intangible’ aspects of Matauranga Māori providing powerful learning and communicative tools.

    Tipi Rā-ngī, Scanz2013: 3rd nature, residency and symposium, Feb 2013, New Plymouth.
    A collaborative art/design project with Stuart Foster:  ‘Tipi-Rāngi: Traversing the heavens’ a site-specific sound-carrying laser lights installation, Te Rewa Rewa Pa and Western Institute of Technology. This work transmitted customary karakia and karanga, through light lines across the whenua of Ngati Tawhirikura, Te Atiawa.

    Intel Corporation Residency, ISEA2012: Machine Wilderness, conference Sep 2012.
    This residency included a group exhibition ‘olol our land our love’, Albuquerque Museum of Art and Culture Sep 2012-Jan 2013, and oral/visual presentation: ‘Our land our light’ Intel Centre of Innovation, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA. Kura and her collaborative group, Blue Wade (USA) and Te Matahiapo Indigenous Research Organisation (NZ) worked with indigenous communities, Rio Rancho High School, and Intel scientists to create trans-disciplinary, cross-cultural learning and artistic experiences. Within the exhibition Kura presented an illuminated animated and interactive panel artwork.

    Muramura solo-exhibitions at Pataka Art + Museum, June-September 2008 and Te Takapou Whariki o Taranaki Gallery, Puke Ariki Museum, May-July 2009.
    A series of twelve  animated illuminated tukutuku panels with variable patterns, colour and intensity. Light emitting diodes, fiber optic thread and electronic soft/hardware.

  • Qualifications

    BFA (Quay School of the Arts, Whanganui)
    MMVA (First Class Honours) (Putahi a Toi Massey University Palmerston North)