Maria Pangari's Vision of Christ

BRETT a'COURT

Maria Pangari's Vision of Christ, 2023

oil on woollen blanket, signed on verso

305 x 406 mm

In 1885, Maria Pangari, a young Maori woman of 25 years, emerged as a prophetess. She had a vision of Christ and then made her way to Taranaki to visit Te Whiti and Tohu, and their peaceful resistance in Parahaki. However, she did not make it. Taking ill, she died on her journey there.
Her short life inspired other Maori prophetesses, such as Ani Karo and Remana Hi, who fought peacefully over loss of land, using biblical scriptures to support their movements.