Passionate about Social Justice : A Display of Politically Charged Art by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho

By Tayi Tibble

​​Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho is a takatāpui artist of Ngai Tuhoe, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Kahungungu descent based in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, they also whakapapa to Samoa, Tahiti, Ireland, Scotland and Denmark. Their work is primarily influenced by their Māori whakapapa, takatāpui identity and political beliefs.

Huriana's Self Portrait

I can't recall if I first came across Huriana on Instagram or Twitter, but what I do know is that I very much enjoy following them on both.

Huriana's Twitter is very much politically conscious and radical. It's a valuable feed to follow if you want to be kept up to date on what's happening in Māori, Polynesian and LGBTQ activism espeically.

Huriana's Instagram feed is a vibrantly curated display of their art. There's a mix of recognizable pop culture figures and heavy political imagery. The colour palette ranges from bright pop-art neons all the way through to tino red, white and blacks.

On their website, Huriana says  that they "are passionate about social justice and making the world a more fair and equitable place for indigenous people, transgender people, and other minority peoples."

Huriana was generous enough to share some of their more political and aching pieces with us, and tbh, there's not a lot to say about these pieces. Honestly they speak for themselves. 

You can follow Huriana on Instagram and Twitter or on their website hurianatko.wordpress.com