This page is an opportunity to take a closer look at some of the work we have at Native Agent.

Rona Osborne is a driving creative force within Native Agent.

Rona trained as a painter and graduated from Elam school of Fine Arts in 2001. She exhibits her paintings regularly at various galleries throughout NZ, including The Lane Gallery, Catchment Gallery, Mia Gallery, and Te Toi o Tahuna.

The interplay between art and craft has often been an aspect of Rona’s work. Her first embroidered quilt was made for her youngest daughter Ngaio Matariki for her birth in 2001.
This piece started a textile exploration of culture and identity that culminated in the opening of Native Agent in late 2004, with her partner Dan and his mother Lindsay. Read more about our kaupapa here.

Symbols of early currency and trade – woollen blankets, muskets, hei tiki, and feathers are regular motifs in her work.

Themes of colonisation and heritage are explored in her miltary-inspired shirts and jackets, which at times have been so popular they are sold before they can even make it onto the racks. Rona also frequently makes garments to order, which can add a more personal touch, sometimes utilising buttons, medals or other elements supplied by the customer. “This enhances the story-telling aspects of the piece, which is really satisfying”.

This year Rona’s practise has been enhanced with the tautoko of her long time friend and collaborator Paula Collier. Together they have been polishing and developing the quilts, cushions, blankets and clothing that epitomise the Native Agent aesthetic.

EXHIBITIONS – RONA NGAHUIA OSBORNE

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2006	The Long Journey Home Waiheke Community Gallery,Waiheke
2006	Recent works The Lane Gallery, Auckland
2005	Tuhi Catchment Gallery, Nelson
2004	Between Worlds Mia, Napier
2003	Korero The Lane Gallery, Auckland
2002	Te Mangai The Lane Gallery, Auckland
2001	A Place of Dreams The Lane Gallery, Auckland
2001	Recent Works The Lane Gallery, Auckland
2000	Stitching Time The Lane Gallery, Auckland

Selected Group Exhibitions

2005	Matariki Women MIA, Napier
2005	Blanket Stitch Objectspace Gallery, Auckland
2004	Te Moananui a Kiwa Catchment Gallery, Nelson
2004	Adorn Catchment Gallery, Nelson
2004	Elemental Catchment Gallery, Nelson
2003	Indicator group show Indicator Studio, Auckland
2002	Maori Women Artists Te Wa/The Space, Wanganui
2001	Indicator Bowen Gallery, Wellington
2001	Indicator group show Indicator Studio, Auckland
2001	Provenance George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
2000	Biennale d’Art Contemporain Noumea – Pacifique Tjibaou cultural center, Noumea
2000	Indicator group show Indicator Studio, Auckland
2000	Pasifika The Lane Gallery, Auckland
1999	Ngati Whiriki George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
1999	Pasifika 99 The Lane Gallery, Auckland
1998	Te Toi Hou George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
1993	Take George Fraser Gallery, Auckland

COMMISSIONS / AWARDS

Awards

1999	Nokia Asia Pacific, New Zealand finalist

Commissions       

1999	Painting commission for Quay West Hotel, Auckland

Other Achievements

2000	Judge, Nokia Asia Pacific Art Award

PUBLICATIONS

2004	Canvas Magazine, NZ Herald (March 6th issue)
2002	100 New Zealand Artists, compiled by Liz Caughey (Saint Publishing)
2000	Biennale d’Art Contemporain Noumea – Pacifique Catalogue
2000	Art News Vol 20/no.4 (Summer 2000 issue)
2000	National Business Review (Sept 1 issue)
2000	Nokia Asia Pacific Arts Award Catalogue
2000	Pavement Magazine #39 (Feb/March issue)
2000	ProDesign Magazine #45 (Feb/March issue)
2000	National Business Review (Jan 28 issue)
2000	Metro Magazine #223 (Jan issue)
1999	Art News Vol19/no.3 (Spring  issue)