Well-Heeled: Shoes With Personality; An Exhibition At The Dowse That Puts Its Best Foot Forward

The Dowse Art Museum is proud to present Well-Heeled: Shoes with Personality, a vibrant and revealing new exhibition opening on 17 May 2025. Celebrating the artistry, personal expression, and cultural significance of footwear, this show invites visitors to consider what our shoes say about us — and the stories they carry with every step.

From the comfort to fashion, the everyday to the extraordinary, Well-Heeled showcases selections from the private collections of three remarkable New Zealanders: internationally acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana, leading Māori art curator and artist Nigel Borell, and executive leader and cultural advocate Karepa Wall.

Together, their collections span global fashion, streetwear culture, and bespoke craftsmanship — highlighting the personal, political and aesthetic decisions that go into every pair.

“Shoes have always been more than just something practical,” says Dowse Director and exhibition curator Karl Chitham. “They’re cultural signifiers, symbols of status or rebellion, expressions of gender, identity, and place. For some, they’re carefully curated collections. For others they are personal talismans that carry memories and stories from their lives.”

Lisa Reihana: Artistry beneath every step

Lisa Reihana is known for her boundary-pushing multi-media contemporary art practice — and her shoe collection is no less dynamic. A lifelong lover of fashion, her collection reflects her evolving creative sensibility and deep appreciation for design. It includes covetable names like Rick Owens and Maison Margiela, alongside unique and conceptual pieces by Zaha Hadid and United Nude. Included in the exhibition are two pairs of shoes gifted to her personally by celebrated shoe designer Christian Louboutin whose famous red soles have become a celebrity staple.

“These shoes are more than fashion statements — they are artefacts of an amazing career that has reshaped contemporary Māori art on the international stage,” says Chitham. “Lisa, who represented New Zealand at the Venice Biennale with her acclaimed work In Pursuit of Venus, has been exploring the intersections of identity, history and visual culture for decades. Her collection in Well-Healed continues this narrative in a more intimate and unexpected medium; marking those special moments that have punctuated her life.”

Nigel Borell: A curator’s eye for cool

As the visionary behind Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art the landmark exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery in 2021, Nigel Borell redefined how Māori art is understood and celebrated in Aotearoa. Beyond the gallery, Borell is also a passionate footwear collector — particularly drawn to sneakers that balance colour, comfort and making a statement. Included in the exhibition are a pair of brigh green and pink Nike high-tops bought on the day Auckland went into its longest lockdown in 2021. With no big events, Borell only got to wear them a year and a half later.

“His collection, which includes unusual releases from Nike, Supra and Clae Thompson, speaks to his sharp eye for design and his ability to tell stories through curation and his personal style — whether on a gallery wall or in a shoebox,” says Chitham. “Nigel’s shoes reflect a personality that blends thoughtfulness with a flair for the unexpected, much like his career.”

Karepa Wall: Where style meets significance

With over 250 pairs of shoes, Karepa Wall’s collection is a striking expression of his approach to leadership, culture, and style. The collection features everything from sequins and studs to fish-skin leather and kōwhaiwhai-embossed designs — each pair chosen with care and purpose and for its ability to match one of his equally impressive suits. One of his earliest are a pair of MaherX purple imitation snakeskin shoes with kōwhaiwhai details that Wall purchased to match a purple tuxedo with matching top hat.

“Karepa’s collection is a testament to how fashion can be more than just a one-off, but can become part of your everyday life” says Chitham. “As Chief Māori Officer at Wellington City Council, he brings a wealth of experience in Māori education, governance, and strategy. His shoes have become a statement as markers of identity, aspiration, and self-expression in both personal and professional spaces.”

Reflecting on the exhibition, Chitham says, “At The Dowse, we’re always looking for unique ways to connect contemporary art and design to the everyday experience. Well-Healed does just that — inviting audiences to explore personal stories through something as universal, and as expressive, as shoes. This is an exhibition full of colour, character and connection. It’s about the people behind the pairs, and the meaning behind the materials.”

Well-Heeled: Shoes with Personality will run at The Dowse Art Museum from 17 May to 6 October 2025. Entry is free.

© Scoop Media