New Zealand woman Kiri Riwai-Couch is displaying a series of 30 photographic images at Aratoi Museum of Art and History located in Masterton through 5 July.
The exhibition, titled “Kuia,” is a compilation of images taken of elderly women from New Zealand’s Wairarapa region who have influenced and guided the young photographer during her early years. The images include women who have nurtured Kiri in school, the community and at church.
“The highlight,” according to Kiri, “was photographing my own mother who was the inspiration for this exhibit.”
Kiri continues, “Genealogy work is important to members of our church and I have felt very privileged to work with each of these ladies, to capture the beauty that is uniquely theirs. In the twilight of their years they are more beautiful than ever.”
The portraits will be gifted to her subjects at the conclusion of the exhibit.
Kiri felt the exhibit was a small way to honour the women in her life who have given so much to her and to others. Her only regret was not doing this sooner.
“Seeing the pride in the faces of these women was a great pleasure,” Kiri says, “and I am very lucky that I was able to celebrate them this way while they are still with us.”
Kiri Riwai-Couch is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Photo caption: Kiri Riwai-Couch (fourth from left) with Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson (third from left) and local Latter-day Saint leaders.