Dorothy Waetford
Ko Onekainga te maunga,
Ko Te Wairahi te awa,
Ko Ngāti Rehua, Te Whānau Whero me Ngāti Hine ngā hapū,
Ko Ngāti Wai, Ngāpuhi-nui-tonu ngā iwi
Artist Statement
Based at Matapouri, Dorothy is inspired by her local surroundings and whānau. She grew up co-existing between Māori and Pakehā worldviews and is grateful that both sides of her whānau encouraged and supported her to pursue her natural creative talents.
Teacher training led to an applied arts course where Dorothy was introduced to Ngā Kaihanga Uku Māori Clay Workers Collective and Te Ātinga Contemporary Māori Visual Arts committee of Toi Māori Aotearoa. The legacy of Māori artists continue to inspire, influence and contribute to her creative commitments, providing opportunities to exhibit regularly and tour overseas. In recent years, she has turned her attention to focus on developing strategic iwi art and cultural developments, such as Toi Ngāpuhi.
