Originally from Auckland, Martin Awa Clarke Langdon (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Whāwhākia, Ngāti Hikairo, Kāi Tahu) is now based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. His practice focuses on the duality of his upbringing which was grounded in both Māori and Pākehā world views.

Langdon’s work layers histories and people, connected through time and generations. For the Push Play exhibition, he has collaborated with his daughter Matilda Awa Penelope Langdon under the Tuakana / Teina model of guidance. Their aim was to employ Matilda’s strengths and maintain her agency while preserving a connection to Martin’s practice. Throughout the process, father and daughter tested and debated each other’s ideas and decisions. They chose the kaupapa of understanding whakapapa and together created a series of thematically paired works, which operates in a dynamic space where pairs, groupings and orientations can be fluid and manifold.

Langdon has an MFA from Elam and has exhibited and curated widely throughout Aotearoa since 2013. Recent exhibitions include Return home Tūī, let your song remind us of histories unseen, SCAPE Public Art 2020; and te rau pito: a place from which to see the world, The Dowse, Wellington this year.