Moana Bennett

Kia ora, I’m Moana Bennett, a Māori mixed media artist creating textural works on paper with paint, gold ink, linen thread, and poetry.

My art is an expression of service — a quieter way of offering care, meaning, and connection. After years of supporting people through complex systems with dignity and aroha, I now bring that same intention into my artwork. Through layered mark-making, hand-stitched wāhine images, and intentional materials, I create visual stories that hold presence, reflection, cultural connection, and strength.

In my work, 'quiet' does not mean still or simple - The abstract layers represent the movement and chaos of life, and my hand-stitched wāhine image within each piece becomes an anchor inside that — a reminder of mana, connection, and returning to yourself.

My work is made for those who want to feel seen, held, and connected to wāhine presence — whether that is their own mana and wairua, or the energy of a significant wāhine they love, honour, or carry with them. Through each piece, I hope to bring story, quiet strength, and meaningful presence into the homes and spaces where the artwork lives.

For me, quiet does not mean unseen. It means creating and sharing slowly, truthfully and from presence.

My inspiration comes from wāhine stories, lived experience, and the emotional layers we carry — especially the parts of ourselves that are difficult to speak aloud. As a Māori woman, I’m inspired by whakapapa (lineage), ancestral and present-day wāhine, personal experience, resilience, softness, strength, and the quiet power that can live beneath the surface.

My work is a way of turning those feelings and stories into something visual and tactile, using layered marks, hand stitching, gold ink, texture, and colour to create art that feels grounded, meaningful, and full of presence.