Artist Statment: The work of pioneering filmmaker Merata Mita is pivotal to a global movement of indigenous cinematography and marks a significant chapter in Aotearoa’s history. Mita was the first filmmaker to reflect a Māori identity on screen. She also contributed to mana wahine by discussing Māori women’s position in the arts in New Zealand. Her work has influenced indigenous filmmakers worldwide.

After viewing the documentary, “Merata, How Mum Decolonized The Screen,” I felt touched and inspired by her story and wanted to shine more light on her lifework and legacy.

This work is my tribute to and celebration of Mita. She is placed in the space between Papatūānuku, and Ranginui, surrounded by indigenous art from Aotearoa, the Pacific, and America, projecting her vision for indigenous filmography. 

As I created this collage from hundreds of paper cuttings, I reflected on Merata as a Warrior, Activist, Feminist, Filmmaker, Mother, her courage, and her ahead-of-her-time vision.

Many thanks for the vital advice from Kathryn Graham and the kind support from Hepi Mita.