Southland Art Foundation Announces 2025 William Hodges Fellowship Artist

The Southland Art Foundation (SAF) is delighted to announce that the 2025 William Hodges Fellowship artist in residence is Tā’i Paitai. Aotearoa born, Tā’i has strong heritage ties to Rarotonga and Mangaia, with connections to Scotland and Samoa. Tā’i will come south from his Auckland home to commence his 12 week residency in September.

The William Hodges Fellowship, which dates back to 1996, is designed to bring significant visual artists from New Zealand to the heart of Southland. The Fellowship provides an opportunity for selected artists to work within and respond to, aspects of the southern landscape, environment and community. Southland Art Foundation chair, Alison Broad, notes the range and calibre of the 19 applicants for the 2025 Fellowship was impressive, including a wide range of artistic styles and media.

“We were particularly drawn to Tā’i’s work, blending the traditional with contemporary through his weaving.” Tā’i’s residency will explore the weaving of three interwoven stories using raranga kete techniques, positioning weaving as a contemporary storytelling art form deeply connected to place and history. Tā’i describes the residency as “a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the cultural and environmental context of Murihiku”.

Tā’i’s work has been recognised on an international scale. He has recently returned from New York, where one of his pieces now resides in their permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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An important aspect of the William Hodges Fellowship is interaction with the Southland community. SAF is very pleased to be collaborating with Mīharo for the 2025 William Hodges Fellowship. “We are excited about where this collaboration can take us, drawing on the extensive networks Mīharo has in the Murihiku community”.

The Southland Art Foundation will work in partnership with SIT, as well as community arts groups, to ensure opportunities for members of the community to interact with Tā’i during his residency.

Tā’i’s Fellowship will culminate in an exhibition of works created during his time in Southland.

The 2025 William Hodges Fellowship is offered by the Southland Art Foundation with support from the Invercargill City Council, Community Trust South, the ILT Foundation, Southern Institute of Technology, He Waka Tuia and Mīharo.

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