Scrolling through a year of posts on Massey’s Fine Arts Instagram, just four have showcased Māori or Pasifika artists. Now, students want to take matters into their own hands.

Massey is home to many diverse and talented artists, all unique in their practices. And Massey’s social media is a place to show this off, like the @massey_finearts account with frequently posts students’ artwork.

But Fine Arts student Arie Patrick Smith and his peers notice a lack of representation. So, the students want to take charge by creating their own social media page dedicated to acknowledging Māori and Pasifika artists at Massey.

Earlier this month, Smith pitched the idea to a group chat of Māori and Pasifika Massey students. It was met with eager enthusiasm — 12 group members liking the message and eight replying with their support and offering help. The students showed that the need for representation is undeniable.

Smith says the initial idea sparked from feeling unseen and unnoticed by the Art department and Massey as a whole.

The current @massey_finearts page is curated by a small team of staff within Massey’s School of Art. It consists of weekly posts documenting students working in the studio, upcoming exhibitions, and works displayed in the Clearview Gallery. Of the 41 posts made this year, only four showcased artworks made by Māori or Pasifika artists — two of these being posts made after Massive’s media inquiry. Many posts from this year are ‘studio wandering’, documenting students’ creative processes in the studio. None of these posts highlight Māori or Pasifika students or artwork.

While the presence might not be there on social media, Māori and Pasifika students have dedicated social spaces on campuses. But Smith said he didn’t want to rely on these.

“We should have just as much agency in white centred spaces, which truthfully shouldn’t even be white centred.”

Although Massey’s Māori spaces are well-loved, they function more as a space for students to connect and spend time together. They don’t necessarily advertise the achievements of Māori students. In comparison, both Victoria University and Auckland University have several different Māori spaces for different degrees. Victoria University also has five spaces for Pasifika students across just main campus alone.

Smith feels that it’s uncommon to hear about Māori and Pasifika students, news of their achievements lost amongst the whitewashed grapevine. “I only know about specific POC artists because I know them, there’s others who I know of, but I’ve never seen any of their work which is quite upsetting.”

With social media admins deciding which artists are posted, students feel a more collaborative approach is needed. Students want a new platform where anyone can log in and post their mahi toi. Smith wants to reclaim artist autonomy in a way that doesn’t degrade other artists, instead raising indigenous artists to be regarded equally.

“It’s about making our presence more known — being more loud and more proud.”

Historically, indigenous artists have been expected to make art specifically about their heritage rather than individual creativity. But Smith stresses that this misconception shouldn’t be an ultimatum for recognition.

“At the end of the day, we don’t have to be making this overtly political or cultural art to be recognised.”

Smith’s peer Samaria Anaru Hill feels the lack of recognition really comes from a lack of understanding. And if you don’t understand, you “don’t perceive it as a successful painting”.

“There’s a tendency for people to choose not to engage or hold our art to the same respect as they would for a caucasian. Because specific groups of people can’t engage with our artwork in the same ethnic or cultural sense we do”.

Whilst there are Māori Art focused courses available at Massey, students feel as though matauranga is not widely taught or followed.

“The ways in which the lectures want you to produce art is a very Western way of thinking.” Hill says. She feels this could be partly due to fear of saying the wrong thing, but felt excited that new social media could tackle this gap.

“It’s unknown territory because we don’t have a space for Māori art, so I think people feel they don’t have the necessary processes to articulate what they’re seeing in our art.”

College of Creative Arts associate professor Bridget Johnson was receptive to the criticism, saying the college would like to collaborate with the students on the best way to spotlight Māori and Pacific students.

“We always welcome student led initiatives like the one that Arie is suggesting. Approaches like this that are by students, for students, are always impactful for our communities.”

Johnson says the Fine Arts Instagram was made with the intention of showcasing a broad spectrum of student work. However, “Arie’s comments remind us that representation must be ongoing, visible, and embedded in all aspects of university life, not just in dedicated spaces.”

Johnson points to a new Instagram page started for the Mātauranga Toi Māori major, a major which focuses on Māori Fine Arts disciples. The account, which started posting in June, highlights students work within this specific major.

Johnson acknowledges the experiences shared, “The feeling of being unseen or underrepresented is something we take seriously, and we are committed to ensuring that Māori and Pacific students feel valued”.

“We recognise there is always more to be done for our presence to be more open and representative of our diverse community.”

A Whitewashed Canvas

Scrolling through a year of posts on Massey’s Fine Arts Instagram, just four have showcased Māori or Pasifika artists. Now, students want to take matters into their own hands.

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