ABOUT
Auckland based fine artist, Shawnee Tekii, uses art as a tool to create social engagement. Often tackling the political issues that surround her community. Her work takes the unseen and mundane and illuminates the stories that lie hidden in the urban landscape and reflects them back at the viewer in all their colourful glory. Shining a light on the beauty that is part of every human experience and environment.
The digital age plays a large role in underpinning her practice. Shawnee’s work encourages the use of social media and technology to either document or activate deeper conceptual content. Through the use of bold aesthetics and Instagram worthy graphics, she aims to communicate her political agenda directly to audiences of her generation.
Shawnee Tekii was born in 1998 in Auckland, New Zealand. She obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in 2019, and currently works out of her studio based in Te Atatu Peninsula. Alongside her fine art career, Shawnee also works as a lecturer at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design.
CV
EXHIBITIONS
2020: Saltwater / Interconnectivity, Group show at Tautai
2020: PRELUDE : 2020, Group show at Gow Langsford Gallery
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2019: The Guerilla Collection: Royal Rumble competitor, Black Grace
2019: The Last Meninas, Group show at Pearce Gallery
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2018: Electric Night, Group show at K Road Arcade
2018: Open Arts Day, 50 Metre Mural Collaboration at Corban Estate Arts Centre
2018: End of Year Exhibition, St Georges Bay Rd Studios
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2017: End of Year Exhibition, St Georges Bay Rd Studios
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2016: End of Year Exhibition, Balfour Rd Studios
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2015: Foundation Cert Exhibition, Balfour Rd Studios
2015: Vauxhall School Exhibition of Fine Art, Vauxhall Primary
PUBLICATIONS
2020: Saltwater / Interconnectivity, Tautai
2019: The Last Meninas, Pearce Gallery
2018: The Insider Zine, Tiger Murdoch
EDUCATION
2022: Lecturer at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design
2016 - 2019: BFA Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design
2015: Certificate in Arts and Design at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design
COMMISSIONS
2022: Cambridge Apartments, Series of five paintings
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2021: Jonathan Skilton, Painting
2021: Antony Miller, Painting
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2020: Grayson Goffe, Custom Painted Sneakers
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2019: New Zealand Souvenir, Illustration
2019: Lania Manu, Painting
2019: Benetton Ngarimu, Custom Painted Sneakers
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2018: Maori TV, Series of four paintings
2018: Antony Miller, Painting
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2017: Jules Lough, Mural
ACHIEVEMENTS
2022: Selected as a Cohort Member for North Asia Pacific CAPE Creative Business Programme, Oyster Workshop
2019: Founder of The Paste up Project
2018: WWE Episodes, Featured on four Maori Tv Segments
