Their Blood Runs Blue

Sarana Haeata

31 July – 11 August 2024

We are delighted to welcome back sought-after contemporary artist Sarana Haeata with her latest body of work, ‘Their Blood Runs Blue - Stories From A Suburban Mum’.

Sarana Haeata delves into the everyday feelings of womanhood, pulling back the layers of the “suburban mum” title to reveal the complex and beautiful stories beneath.

Through figurative and abstract works, Haeata examines themes of identity, self-doubt, and the balancing act of motherhood, presenting these experiences as both isolated and collective.

Her work is a testament to the strength and profound love inherent in the female experience, inviting viewers to find acceptance and belonging within shared stories.

The exhibition features a special audio story that enhances the narrative experience - Listen here

Their Blood Runs Blue

“I used to hate the term 'suburban mum.' I thought it diminished my experience. But now, I see it differently. My work, ‘Their Blood Runs Blue - Stories From A Suburban Mum’, explores the everyday feelings of womanhood.

I pull back the layers of the 'suburban mum' title to reveal the woman beneath, with her rough edges and age-old beauty. It's a story of needing space, yearning to be seen, grappling with self-doubt, and balancing work and motherhood.

I create art to find acceptance and to say: yes, I am enough. I hope to validate and understand the viewer, sharing in our collective experiences. To see and be seen is all I can hope for as an artist.”

- Sarana Haeata

About Sarana Haeata

Sarana Haeata, a Maori-Australian artist based in Fremantle, Western Australia, has recently returned to her roots from the remote central desert of Alice Springs. In her seaside studio, Haeata explores the beauty and nuances of shared stories and identities, with a particular focus on the female experience.

Her work spans painting, digital media, ceramics, and public art, often imbued with a sense of surrender and freedom. Using gestural brushstrokes, iconography, and the written word, she delves into internal landscapes, employing color to evoke calm or rich, enveloping wonder. Her works serve as visual acceptance letters, inviting viewers into a moment of belonging.

In the last couple of years, Haeata was commissioned by The Gardener Museum in collaboration with The Boston Globe, and in 2022, her work was exhibited in New York and Miami, resonating deeply with audiences. Her poignant, highly sought-after pieces have been collected by notable figures such as Randi Zuckerberg, Reese Witherspoon, and Paris Hilton.