Ngahuia Williams, a name synonymous with fashion and creative direction in Aotearoa, is stepping into the art world with her debut photography exhibition, In the Ngahere. Opening on 4 April at Allpress Studio, this evocative exhibition captures the essence of Aotearoa’s native forests, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the natural world through her lens.
As Williams prepares for the exhibition’s launch, she describes feeling both “nervous and excited.” She adds, “It’s a lot to share your personal work, it’s a process to work through. I am, however, excited to see the response from the community.”
Williams’ journey into photography has been deeply personal, emerging from a profound connection with the natural world. “There is so much energy in Te Taiao (the natural world), and I came to see that when I spent time in that space,” she shares. “I began to explore parts of myself on a deeper level and, as a result, I started spending long periods of time in the forests alone – hiking and exploring.”
From here she set out to capture the deep, almost electric energy of New Zealand’s native forests – an environment teeming with life and movement. As she immersed herself in the process, the forest revealed more than just its beauty; it offered clarity, stripping away unwanted layers of energy. “In return, the documentation of the light and the layers of the forest came very easily from this place. A form of meditation,” Williams says.Through her lens, the Ngahere became both subject and sanctuary, its essence unfolding in the interplay of light, shadow and stillness.
A well-respected figure in the fashion industry for over 25 years, Williams has built a career defined by aesthetics, storytelling and visual composition. Yet, her foray into nature photography is not as far removed from fashion as one might think. “A big part of my learning from the fashion world comes from all the creative people I have been very lucky to have worked alongside and to be influenced by,” she reflects. “That definitely contributed to how I see things, what I find beautiful and what captivates me.”
In the Ngahere by Ngahuia Williams runs until 30 April at Allpress Studio, 8 Drake Street, Freemans Bay. Find out more at www.ngahuiawilliams.com
