Julie Paama-Pengally

Julie Paama-Pengelly (born 1964) is a New Zealand tā moko artist, painter, commentator, and curator.

Education and early career Paama-Pengelly is of Māori (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāi Tūwhiwhia, Ngāi Tauaiti and Ngātii Tapu) descent. In 2003, she graduated with a Masters of Māori Visual Arts degree with honours from Massey University, Palmerston North. Prior to that she graduated with a diploma in teaching (1989), and a Master of Philosophy in third-world development (2003) also both from Massey University in Palmerston North. Paama-Pengelly's undergraduate degree was a degree in social sciences (anthropology). She has also studied te reo Māori through Te Ataarangi. At this time, it was very unusual for a woman to be involved in this art form. She was inspired to get into tā moko by Robert Jahnke and Derek Lardelli. She says in an interview about being captured by the power of tā moko,

Career and works Paama-Pengelly was the head of faculty between 2004 and 2007 of Te Toi Whakarei, Art and Visual Culture at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi in Whakatāne.

Her art practice includes paintings, printmaking, installation, and tā moko. She has authored books on Māori art, curated art exhibitions and contributed to critical discourse on Māori art. Her work has helped lead to a revival of indigenous tattoos in both New Zealand, but also worldwide.

Writer Awhina Tamapara says of Paama-Pengelly's practice: "Exploring how Māori are portrayed by others (as opposed to how they portray themselves) is a predominant concern of her work. Her paintings are paradoxical – a direct response to the stereotypical, negative images of Māori. In her 'Broke' series, she has explored how Māori are portrayed commercially."

Books Writer: A History on Skin – The Art of Ta Moko, Toi Maori Aotearoa, March, 2002 Author: Maori Art and Design New Holland Press, Auckland, May 2010

Curation Nga Korero Aoteatea – Fifty Maori Artists, Dowse Art Museum, Wellington 1999 Ta Moko is NOT Tattoo, interactive CD Rom Artpix 3 Houston, USA, 2001 Tau-Marumaru, Harris Fine Arts Center BYU, Utah USA 2005 Navigating the Now, Whakatane Museum & Gallery, 26 June–Aug 8 2010 Roundabout: 108 Artists, Wellington, Israel, 2007–2010

Personal life Paama-Pengelly is of Māori (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāi Tūwhiwhia, Ngāi Tauaiti and Ngāti Tapu) descent.