Emily Lyall: From Nau Mai mural to Artspace Aotearoa

Before joining Artspace Aotearoa as the Kaiwhakamahiri Pirihi Taiwhenua Curatorial Intern in 2026, Emily Lyall developed her practice through study at Massey University, where she completed a Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts.

A recent feature from Massey University traces Lyall’s journey from her early studies to her current role, highlighting the development of her practice and the influences that continue to shape her work. Reflecting on this time, she notes, “Being surrounded by artists, ideas and people equally passionate about the work gave me the confidence to experiment, refine my practice and learn by doing.”

From her Nau Mai mural to her growing commitment to kaupapa Māori-led approaches, the article offers insight into the foundations of her curatorial perspective and the experiences that led her to Artspace Aotearoa.

Read more about Lyall’s path to Artspace Aotearoa via the Massey University article