Ida Edwards
Ko Whatitiri raua ko Te Ramaroa ōku Maunga
Ko Wairua raua ko Whirinaki ōku Awa
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua ōku Waka
Ko Ngāpuhi tōku Iwi
Ko Te Uriroroi raua ko Te Hikutu ōku Hapu
Ko Maungarongo raua ko Pa Te Aroha ōku Marae
Ko Patira Edwards tōku Papa Ko Evelyn Edwards nee Leaf tōku Mama
Ko Ida Edwards tōku Ingoa
Artist Statement
Te Uriroroi, Te Hikutu, Ngapuhi.
b. 1968
Lives in Te Tai Tokerau Ida Edwards lives in Portland, near Whangarei, and works at the Quarry Arts Centre, where her role is managing the sales of ceramic and painting materials. She balances this with making clay pieces. Ida’s approach to uku is to create a visual expression that speaks of Māori legends and stories as told by her Kaumatua and Kuia and to inspire the next generation to also find their voice in the work of Māori art. In 2007, when she was studying at NorthTec for a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree, Ida met Manos Nathan and Colleen Waata Urlich and, through them, she came into contact with Nga Kaihanga Uku. Colleen and Rhonda Halliday enlisted her to help with the Ngapuhi Festival art exhibition, and this experience taught her the nuts and bolts of organization and management in the arts arena. The exhibition was also where she was challenged by Colleen to consider herself as an artist.
Whero Ipu & Taonga