This Exhibition is Ila-Rose’s debut exhibition and will be exploring the treasures of Aotearoa. Presented as a cross section of Ila-Roses varied styles viewers can expect a range of oil paintings and alcohol marker drawings.

Ila-Rose Hepetema - is a bay of plenty based, Māori artist working primarily in oil painting and portraiture. Her fascination with art, and more specifically colour theory has been lifelong.

Her academic career includes a diploma in contemporary Māori art levels 5/6 from Wananga O Aotearoa. In 2020 she accepted her first commission for portraits and began her career as a working artist.

Her early work has been predominantly alcohol markers on paper which offered Ila-Rose the saturation and vibrancy to develop a style heavily focussed on colour composition. In 2023 Ila-Rose began oil painting, applying her unique style to a new medium which quickly became her go to.

Her recent works, mainly oil paintings, focus on New Zealand native fauna, often incorporating a contemporary approach to traditional kowhaiwhai patterns.

Sponsored by Gate Pā New World this exhibition launch preview is Friday 5 September at 5.30pm at the Incubator Creative Hub. Licensed Bar and everyone is welcome.

On display at Okorore Ngā Toi Māori Gallery and Studios from September 6.