Heidi Brickell

Te Ara i Whiti Artist

MAHI TOI

Hoe Tahi tonu, Hā tahi tonu

Hoe tahi tonu, hā tahi tonu is an akiaki. A continuous line joins two tāngata in a hongi, their waewae morph into a waka in which they are seated. It emphasises connection and the intertwined fate of all people. Hoe tahi tonu, means keep rowing together, hā tahi tonu, means keep breathing together. The structure of that phrase is causal. It encourages us to work together. Through the negative space between the figures a mango-pare like arrow emerges. It resonates as a shared heartbeat.

Heidi Brickell (Te Hika o Pāpāuma, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tara, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apakura, Airihi, Kotirana, Ingarihi, Tiamana) is based in Ōtaki with a background in Kura Kaupapa Māori education and te reo Māori revitalisation. Her practice embraces experimental materials, processes and forms as means to dovetail and mātauranga tuku iho as a fluidly evolving continuum.
Recent solo exhibition include ‘Wā We Can’t Afford’ at Hastings Art Gallery 2025, ‘A Koru is a Trajectory’ at Enjoy Contemporary Gallery 2024 and PĀKANGA FOR THE LOSTGIRL, which toured from Te Wai Ngutu Kākā Gallery in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to The Physics Room, Ōtautahi Christchurch and The Engine Room in Te Whānganui-a-Tara Wellington. Her work has recently featured in major surveys of national contemporary art in public galleries Aotearoa Contemporary at Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery 2024 and Springtime is Heartbreak Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery 2023. Her work is held in collections at Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery, Te Puna o Waiwhetū Christchurch Art Gallery, The Dowse, The University of Auckland, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Te Haerenga as well as private collections. She is represented by Laree Payne Gallery.