Wai Ching Chan & Tessa Ma'auga

Wai Ching Chan (Tāmaki Makaurau) and Tessa Ma'auga (Manawatū) first met at the 2018 Asian Aotearoa Arts Huì. Their friendship grew into a creative collaboration and a celebrated exhibition,  Kāpuia ngā aho 單絲不綫 at The Physics Room Gallery in Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2022. Drawing upon Tessa Ma'auga's research into whakapapa narratives and Wai Ching Chan's connections between tauiwi and tangata whenua, the artists create new, nuanced expressions of Chineseness through their sculptural and textiles-based installations. Tessa & Wai Ching will have their new work feature as part of the group exhibition AAA2024 New Illuminations: 10 years-10 works at the Engine Room Gallery, opening on Thursday 18 April at 6pm.