Talk:Julie Paama-Pengelly

Ethnic heritage and MOS
In response to a recent edit by I am wondering if being Māori is relevant to an artist that practices Tā moko 'the permanent marking or "tattoo" as traditionally practised by Māori'. Would it be better if this was made more explicit? Eg. Julie Paama-Pengelly (born 1964) is a New Zealand painter, commentator, and curator. She also practices the Māori art of tā moko and is Māori, affiliating to the iwi Ngāi Te Rangi and the hapū Ngāi Tūwhiwhia, Ngāi Tauaiti and Ngātii Tapu. (These are referenced in the artists website which I believe is the preferred source for ethnicity - the person themselves?). Also happy for it to be just in the article as I appreciate the neutrality / politics of ethnicity not being in the lede. I welcome discussion. Pakoire (talk) 05:30, 2 January 2023 (UTC)


 * I think explaining what tā moko is for the naïve reader is a good idea, and of course that will centrally be about being Māori. In this case I don’t see any need for her tribal affiliation in the lead, but of course I would never object to listing those in the body. Note that while referencing for the fact of her affiliation is best from the subject herself, inclusion in the lead is more about relevance to notability. Compare a case more like Ariana Tikao, where the lead (and sourcing!) make clear her whakapapa’s connection to her work, or Trevor Howse, where his notability is inextricable from his iwi. As for calling her Māori, I don’t object, but I still think it’s largely unnecessary. Essentially I far prefer the incidental implication in relation to her work (eg, She also practices the Māori art of tā moko…) over the outright statement of race (… and is Māori).
 * As another note, considering tā moko is so strongly Māori, I don’t feel that the connection to the person needs to be said quite so much; consider that a pākehā practitioner would be far more remarkable for the reader, to the point of needing such note in the lead (and such a fact about the person would be so notable that of course it would be backed up by RSes). But that’s kinda peripheral. And thank you for calling me out, I’m always happy to discuss. — HTGS (talk) 05:26, 3 January 2023 (UTC)


 * thanks - good discussion and thanks for giving the useful examples. I think the article reads well at the moment although the lead paragraph could be longer, I think you are right it doesn't advantage the information to state the ethnicity. Pakoire (talk) 00:09, 5 January 2023 (UTC)