Ashley Emiko

Grateful beyond words for the incredible aroha and tautoko shown for my exhibition ‘For The People’🌀 My debut solo art gallery show was nothing short of successful! A big thank you to all the amazing models involved in my kaupapa, to my friend @nathan.creative for capturing the opening event, to my whānau, to everyone who came from near and far to support me, and to sponsors @drinkalmighty @rudis.nz and @mamasdonutsnz for providing the delicious kai! This is just the beginning! 🦋 My exhibition will be up until the 26th May! The gallery is open Wed-Sat 11am-2pm, I’ll be in on Saturday’s if you’d like to meet me 💗 Ngā mihi, Ash x

Mārohirohi 🌀 Self-tied and self-shot 📸 for my exhibition ‘For The People.’ Growing up, I remember watching the wāhine in my life weave harakeke. I’d watch in awe as their hands would move with this unspoken knowledge, passing down the art of Raranga through generations. These memories have always been a part of me, but now, I’m bringing them to life myself in a new way. I wanted to do something fresh, something I haven’t seen myself before, “Māori Shibari” if you will lol. I begun making my own rope out of harakeke. This one took nearly 3 hours, and I used the leftover harakeke from a previous shoot to minimise waste. Connecting Raranga with the art of Shibari into this very simple tie, weaving my culture, into each knot to create something beautiful. Shibari is something I’m going to explore more deeply in my mahi toi, weaving with contemporary forms of self-expression.

The Void ꩜𓂀 My first painting for the Mātauranga exhibition being held at the Nancy Caiger Gallery 𖣠

Dancing on the beach where I grew up, my heart is full. 🌀

Brb just ticking off my 4th wonder of the world 🌍

When queer women come together to create art 🥹 So grateful to be apart of @lydiahudgens pukapuka coming soon, and to work with such talented, beautiful wāhine on this set 💗 Stylist & Kaiwhakaahua @lydiahudgens Makawe @auralisflores Makeup @_kellymazzini Ngā mihi x

Resting in her feminine 🧚🏻

A little gremlin in her habitat 🧚🏻

Ka mau te wehi he Māori ahau 🌀 E tū ana, me te mana motuhake, mō Toitū te Tiriti, ake ake ake ♥️🖤🤍 Whakaahua @toitaniwha

HĪKOI MŌ TE TIRITI - KIRIKIRIROA ♥️🖤🤍 Ka whaiwhai tonu mātou, ake ake ake!!! 💪🏽 #hīkoimōtetiriti #toitūtetiriti #māori #aotearoa #nz

Yes Madame! 🕷️🕸️ Self-Portraits for @anoeses.brand 🌹 #selfportrait #shibari #latexdress #latex #nz #nzgirl #curvefashion #darkfeminine

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