Tira Walsh

Tira Walsh drew inspiration from time spent during her residency at Karekare House, supported by Eden Arts Trust. Walsh describes the pitch-black colour of the night and the change in her environment, made a strong impression on her while staying in Karekare. These works were also influenced by a pūrakau, a local story, told by artist Pita Turei, of the Wāitakere and Hunua Ranges Patupaiarehe. Rendered with the unique aesthetic language Walsh has developed in her practice, what were once marks referencing urban sprawl now reflect a return to Te Tai Ao, the natural environment.

Tira Walsh (Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Hāua) is a painter who lives and works in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and is represented by Two Rooms Gallery, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Walsh’s work has been exhibited at Auckland Art Fair; Sydney Contemporary; Wallace Arts Trust Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Gallery 9, Sydney. She has been awarded residences at Altes Spital in Solothurn, Switzerland through the Kaipara Wallace Arts Trust Award and at the Karekare House, supported by Eden Arts.