Painting from within: Nakita’s creative awakening

[pictured: Dr Stephen Ng, Hine Tōhenga, Nakita Tilson]

For contemporary Māori artist Nakita Tilson, painting isn’t just something she does, it’s who she is.

A full-time artist, Nakita mainly works with acrylic and oil on canvas, but her creativity doesn’t stop there. She also designs handmade soaps, sculpts clay ornaments, and looks after a thriving plant collection with over 600 indoor and outdoor varieties.

“I consider myself a fine painter aligning contemporary Māori art,” she says. “I work with all mediums - spray paint, pastels, pencil… I also design and make soaps utilising the essence of rongoā Māori.”

“I’ve always been passionate about art. My father, my foster family, and those around me have always encouraged my creativity.”

That support gave her the confidence to chase her dream.

“Being an artist was always a dream of mine from a very young age. I was adamant I was going to pursue a career as an artist.”

Her journey with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa began at 18, when she enrolled in the Kāwai Raupapa - Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Art programme in Te Awamutu. She went on to complete Maunga Kura Toi - Bachelor of Māori Art in Rāhui Pōkeka while raising 4 tamariki and becoming hapū with her fifth. Since then, she’s continued learning, He Pī Kā Pao Level 1 & 2 and He Waka Hiringa - Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge.

After facing a serious illness at 17, Nakita had to adjust her life and her art. Her eyesight was affected, and painting became a different kind of challenge. But as art has always been her outlet, she kept going, adapting her process and using art to reconnect with herself and her world.

A recent turning point came through a commission from ophthalmologist Dr Ng, who has supported her throughout her health issues. His only request: paint a wahine toa. This request became her latest piece of work, Hine Tōhenga.

It was the process of painting Hine Tōhenga through trial, frustration, and starting over, that reminded her of her own strength.

There were moments she wanted to give up.

“By the fourth attempt, I almost painted over her so I couldn’t see it,” she says.

But she kept going, trusting that the struggle was part of the story.

“Without my persistence in the creating stages, Hine Tōhenga wouldn’t exist.”

Dr Ng’s support also gave Nakita the confidence to step into new spaces. She’s now creating an artist profile, designing a website, and building her public speaking skills through Toastmasters.

“Dr Ng’s commission encouraged my creativity in so many ways. I decided it’s time to paint from within and dedicate this year to painting my ideas.”

Find out more about our Toi Māori (Art) programmes.