Ashleigh Taupaki

Ashleigh’s story is inspirational in so many ways. Growing up in a large, low-income family in Rānui, West Auckland, life for Ashleigh was fun, busy, and not without its struggles. A traumatic relationship triggered feelings of low self-esteem and depression during her first two years studying Fine Arts at the University, but surrounding herself with a solid support system helped Ashleigh stay afloat: “They constantly reminded me that I am valid, driven, and successful despite an awful past.”

A ‘first-in-family’ to attend university makes Ashleigh’s achievements all the more motivating. “Going to university was a dream of mine to offset the inequities my family have faced over the years. I’ve always loved art, and my family are really proud that I pursued my ambitions and love seeing me succeed in my area of passion.”

Ashleigh studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) followed by a Master of Fine Arts at Elam. She is now preparing her PhD application whilst working full time as a Policy Analyst at the Ministry for the Environment. In 2020 she was awarded a Ngā Manu Pīrere Award from Creative New Zealand for her achievements as an emerging Māori artist.

"I decided to study at the University of Auckland because Elam is the best art school in Aotearoa.

"I was sold on the School's conceptual focus of art-making because I also have a passion for research and wanted to delve into more critical thinking. This has proven true because I am constantly mind mapping and thinking about the 'why' of my choice of material, form, and content."

"The supervisors and lecturers are the loveliest. I always felt supported. I know that they have a genuine passion for bringing out the best in their students."

"Especially for Māori and Pacific students, there is no need to abandon who you are to succeed in the contemporary art world. During my first two years, I struggled and tried to make art that seemed appropriate. It was only when I started exploring who I was and where I came from that I excelled, both in my journey figuring out the histories of my people, and in the classroom.

"If you have a passion for art, know that there are career options far beyond working in a gallery or as an artist. Elam teaches more than just art, and you can always branch out with electives."

"One of the highlights of my time at Elam is the friends I met through the Tuākana programme. I questioned my practice and cultural identity during my first two years at uni, but my Pacific and Māori friends from the programme really gave me the confidence to explore, make mistakes, and try again. These people are now my best friends.

"Another is the tenacity I picked up. It takes resilience and patience to take criticism, especially when you feel a connection to your art. Over the years, I have learnt to tighten up my practice so that the criticisms lessened and my art felt more resolved. It may seem challenging at times, but it is necessary to improve and is something that I have learnt to take into other aspects of my life."

"I was also a Kupe Scholarship and Summer Research Scholarship recipient. The Kupe scholarship was so rewarding as it allowed all the scholars to link up at retreats, workshops, and networking events. We became a tight-knit cohort and had good relationships with the scholarship team as well.

"The Summer Research Scholarship was really fun. I ended up travelling to the rivers in Hauraki and taking a lot of photographs to go along with my history research of the area."

"In my role as a policy analyst, I have found that I can apply a different perspective to policy issues from the skills I picked up in my degree. Often, I have offered options that others in my team did not think of.

"At the moment, I am planning workshops for my team to strengthen their understanding of the environment within Te Ao Māori which is only possible because of the research I had undertaken at Elam."

Ashleigh's work focuses on Māori connections to place and placemaking through concepts of indigenous narrative and 'non-human agency'. She crafts sculptures out of hard materials, including concrete and site-sourced minerals and steel. She also welds and casts.

"I can give back to Ngāti Hako by revitalising our narratives, histories and stories in a way that hasn’t been done before, and that’s probably what’s most important to me. I would love to represent Aotearoa at an international art event and bring my people’s history to the forefront."