Alex Monteith and Maree Sheehan

Alex Monteith
b. 1977, Belfast                                                                                                               
Lives and works in Te Piha and Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)

Alex Monteith is a multi-disciplinary artist, filmmaker, and Associate Professor whose practice intersects environmental activism, oceanic geographies, and contemporary art. Born in Éire (Ireland) during the Na Trioblóidí (The Troubles), she migrated to Aotearoa (New Zealand) in the ‘80’s with her family. 

A former Irish National Women's Surfing Champion (2001), she draws on her intimate knowledge of marine environments to create large-scale artistic interventions addressing colonial impacts on ocean ecologies in Aotearoa. Since 2008, her collaborative projects have engaged with critical environmental issues, from water quality to maritime disasters. Exhibitions have included the survey show Alex Monteith: Accelerated Geographies, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery (2010), and curated programmes at the Centre Pompidou, Paris (2007 and 2011). She was an exhibiting artist in the 4th and 5th Auckland Triennial in 2010 and 2013, Sydney Contemporary in 2013 and 2015, and the Asia Pacific Trienalle’s at QAGOMA with Kā Paroro o Haumumu (2021) and AWA in 2024. She was a recipient of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Award (2008) and a Walter’s Prize finalist in 2010. 

Born 1977 in Béal Feirste (Belfast), Na Sé Chontae (The Six Counties). Lives in Te Piha, and works in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Aotearoa (New Zealand). Clans Mitchell, Monteith & Doherty.

Maree Sheehan                                                                                                                         
b. 1969, Leeston
Lives and works in Hamilton

Maree Sheehan is an esteemed Māori composer, sound artist, songwriter, and performer from Aotearoa (New Zealand), with 25 years of experience in the music and arts communities. An award winner for her PhD exhibition Ōtairongo and Purple Pin sound design from the Design Institute of New Zealand, Dr. Sheehan has received recognition from the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA) for her professional development in sound and music. In 2024, she was honored as Māori Researcher of the Year by the Royal Society of New Zealand. A passionate advocate for Mātauranga Māori, she is dedicated to integrating indigenous knowledge into sound ecology, sound art and music composition. She is a research fellow at Te Manawahoukura, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and is also a member of the AWA exhibition at the QAGOMA Asian Pacific Triennial 2024.

Alex Monteith & Maree Sheehan previous collaborative work documentation

Maree Sheehan and Alex monteith were members of Artists for Waiapu Action / AWA, He Uru Mānuka, He Uru Kānuka 2024, Waiapu & QAGOMA. 

He Manako, He Pānga Pōuri, He Kōingo (Afflicted with desire, sadness, and longing)
Year: 2024
Medium: Single-channel 4K Video projection: colour, sound, 9:55 minutes
by AWA members Natalie Robertson, Maree Sheehan & Alex Monteith

He Manako, He Pānga Pōuri, He Kōingo (Afflicted with desire, sadness, and longing), video still, by Artists for Waiapu Action, Natalie Robertson, Maree Sheehan & Alex Monteith

He Manako, He Pānga Pōuri, He Kōingo (Afflicted with desire, sadness, and longing), video still, by Artists for Waiapu Action, Natalie Robertson, Maree Sheehan & Alex Monteith

Title: Whiri iwi tuna: Underwater worlds of the tuna in Te Whanganui in collaboration with Te Kāhui o Taranaki Takutai Kaitiaki, delve into immersive storytelling and underwater perspectives within Te Whanganui, Taranaki. This project responds to threats facing aquatic life and marine biodiversity exacerbated by settler-colonial mismanagement. The project engages Te Whanganui geographies and relational artistic research paradigms, emphasising iwi and hapū relationships and knowledges that reflect their responsibilities to the environmental, emphasising an ethic of care, the research community that encompasses both human and more-than-human entities. These collaborations enrich relational geographies and advance the relations between mātauranga Māori, underwater videography and sonic ecological practices. Exhibition - Govett Brewster Gallery, New Plymouth, Taranaki, Aotearoa/New Zealand March 2026