Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
This exhibition celebrates the life and work of Ans Westra, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most renowned photographers.
***
E whakanui ana tēnei o ngā whakaaturanga i ngā mahi a Ans Westra, tētahi o ngā ringa whakaahua rongonui o Aotearoa.
18 Mar – 17 Sep 2023
Level 5 Landing, Toi Art
Free
All ages
10 minutes
Wheelchair access
Over six decades, Westra used her camera to document the everyday lives of this country’s people.
She is best known for her candid images of Māori in the 1960s and 70s. Westra aimed to show people ‘as they really were’. Her unobtrusive presence allowed her to capture the intimacy and emotion of ordinary, human moments.
Dutch-born New Zealand photographer Ans Westra is known for her black-and-white documentary photography of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, including protests and marches, Māori communities, street photography, and industrial scenes.
New Zealand photographer Ans Westra passed away on 26 February 2023 at age 86. Here curator of photography Athol McCredie reflects on some aspects of Westra’s work.
This excerpt is from a conversation between photographer Ans Westra and Curator Photography Athol McCredie for the book, ‘The New Photography’.
“If people didn’t want me to take the photograph they would chase me away.”
– Ans Westra
Our collection of over 10,000 Ans Westra images includes a large selection of working prints which can be used for study purposes.
