Homestead Galleries is pleased to present Landmarks for the landless, a group exhibition of new work by Paerau Corneal, Zena Elliott, Tessa Harris, Chris Harvey, Ngahina Hohaia, Ngaroma Riley, Melanie Tangaere Baldwin and Janine Williams.

Landmarks for the landless examines the increasing presence of pouwhenua, symbolic boundary markers, that reflect Aotearoa’s rich heritage and position as a central Polynesian hub. These pouwhenua evoke a sense of pride among Māori and Moriori, yet their significance is multifaceted, encompassing both celebration and a reminder of lost connections to ancestral lands and the vibrant cultural legacy of the past.

Pouwhenua, carved posts strategically placed on the land, acknowledge and represent the relationship between tangata whenua/t’chkat henu (the people of the land), their ancestors, and their tūrangawaewae (the place where one has rights of residence and belonging through kinship and whakapapa). As a form of mapping, pouwhenua embody an act of rangatiratanga (sovereignty). In the traditional context, pouwhenua marked tribal boundaries or signaled the location of resources under collective protection. Today, tangata whenua/t’chkat henu continue the practice of marking the landscape to make their interests visible, connect to the past, communicate their stories, and celebrate their identity and sense of belonging. Through these ongoing practices, the landscape remains alive and dynamic.

While the ringatoi (artists) of Landmarks for the landless explore the concept of pouwhenua and its profound influence on their sense of place and identity, they simultaneously address contemporary issues such as landlessness and homelessness, which stem from urban migration and the intergenerational disconnection from ancestral territories. Through their works, they articulate shared experiences of loss and grief, reflecting a collective mourning for the underrepresentation of the Māori language in mainstream education and a profound yearning to revive the memories of their tūpuna/karapuna (ancestors). Each artist hails from different regions across the motu (island), bringing varied relationships with the whenua (land). The exhibition fosters whanaungatanga (kinship) among the ringatoi, enabling them to create authentic works informed by their distinctive whakapapa/hokopapa (lineage) and lived experiences