Tui Hobson

Tui Hobson is a New Zealand sculptor based in Auckland. She has completed multiple residencies overseas including the Kaoshiung Museum in Taiwan, When young she observed her father, Ken, a teacher, sculptor and wood craftsman, and her mother, grandmother and aunt, weavers and tivaevae artists. Her father had a joinery factory in Newtown that she would visit after school. began in the 1990s with her teaching herself carving techniques. but was particularly active up until 2014 when she travelled more frequently. she is based in Auckland as a full-time carver and artist, 7–10 October 2016 Tapa & Tiare Tui Hobson and Sam Ford Sculpture 3 Grosvenor St, Grey Lynn 13 December 2025 – 14 February 2026 8 [Contemporary] Cook Islands Artists Ahsin Ahsin, Marcus Hipa, Tui Hobson, Chloe Marsters, Sylvia Marsters, David Murray, Carlos Vano, and Sefton Rani – – – Māngere Arts Centre (Gallery) +Solo Date Title Medium Location Source 2004 Pacific Memories Mātai, concrete and steel pole (sculpture) Leith Place Talking Pole Forest 2007 Reclining Form Sculpture Akoranga Busway Station, Auckland 7 November 2009 – 14 February 2010 Ancestral Light Macrocarpa and metal poles (sculpture) Sculpture in the Gardens Exhibition 2009–10, Auckland Botanic Gardens 9 October 2011 – 12 February 2012 Bird Strategy Macrocarpa (sculpture/carving) Sculpture in the Gardens Exhibition 2011–12, Auckland Botanic Gardens 2021 Pacific Conversation Recycled Totara with copper finish Art + Object Auction House, previously collection of Adrian Burr and Peter Tatham 1–20 August 2023 Pop up exhibition Vaka inspired swamp kauri bench seats, Pacific oars, abstract sculpture The Poi Room, Ponsonby September 2025 Vairaka, (Wairaka) Macrocarpa, pigment, and fibre (pou) Te Marae o te Umu Kai o Hau, Pātaka Art + Museum – the first contemporary carving created by a woman for Pātaka for Frangipani. Hobson used her winnings to reconnect with family in the Cook Islands and network with other artists whilst there.

Projects

In 2007, she carved Reclining Form at the National Wood Sculpture live event.

Recognition

Her practice was detailed in a journal article by Tryphena Cracknell titled "Wahine mau whao: a woman's hand to the chisel", published in a 2019 issue of Te Aute – Journal of Maori Art