The hori
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Kai Tahu.
Māori Designer / Artist
He uri a Hohepa nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira me Kai Tahu. Ko Raukawakawa te moana.
Raised in Ōtaki, Hohepa (The HORI) Thomas considered himself a child of Kāpiti. Growing up he
was in a constant battle with identifying his Māoritanga. In his older years he has vowed to be unapologetically Māori in all that he does.
For Hohepa, his art is like having a kōrero. This is how he believes that you can be a champion for te reo no matter your background. Hohepa is a prime example of this, as expressed through his toi Māori.
Established in 2012, The HORI label has become a topic of much artistic and social debate. It was developed to draw attention to significant Māori issues in Aotearoa that he feels he needs to address as an artist, especially being tangata whenua.
The HORI’s goal is to raise awareness by hosting conversations about difficult and often taboo subjects.