Slow Burn Ahi Tāmau

“Researching, collecting and writing about photography, Ihave often wondered where the women were.”—Lissa Mitchell Slow Burn Ahi Tāmau showcases the diverse range ofphotography by women and non-binary artists from Aotearoa New Zealand, spanningthe 1960s to today. This major survey exhibition from Te Papa’s collectionssparks a conversation between past and present – exploring themes of identity,whānau, place, and time through a feminist lens. Highlighting over 150 works by50 artists, this accompanying catalogue by curator Lissa Mitchell illustrateshow ways of seeing can be passed down, reimagined, and slowly reignited. Featured artists include Anne Noble, Fiona Pardington,Natalie Robertson and Lisa Reihana. The curator’s essay provides furtherhistorical context to the exhibition, and biographies of the photographers makethis a valuable research resource. Slow Burn builds on ten years of deeply considered research,inclusive collection decisions, and the 2023 publication of Lissa’s acclaimedbook Through Shaded Glass: Women and photography in Aotearoa New Zealand1860–1960. The exhibition and catalogue bring work by photographers from thelast 65 years out of the storeroom and into conversation with each other – acelebration of photography’s ever-evolving nature in Aotearoa.