The Dowse Art Museum has announced a vibrant new exhibition titled Well-Healed: Shoes with Personality.
Celebrating the artistry, personal expression, and cultural significance of footwear, this show invites visitors to consider what their shoes say about them and the stories they carry with every step.
“Shoes have always been more than just something practical,” said Dowse Director and exhibition curator Karl Chitham.
“They’re cultural signifiers, symbols of status or rebellion, expressions of gender, identity, and place. For some, they’re carefully curated collections. For others, they are personal talismans that carry memories and stories from their lives.”
From the comfort to fashion, the everyday to the extraordinary, Well-Healed showcases selections from the private collections of three remarkable New Zealanders: internationally acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana, leading Māori art curator and artist Nigel Borell, and executive leader and cultural advocate Karepa Wall.
Together, their collections span global fashion, streetwear culture, and bespoke craftsmanship, highlighting the personal, political and aesthetic decisions that go into every pair.
Lisa Reihana: Artistry beneath every step
Lisa Reihana is known for her boundary-pushing multi-media contemporary art practice, and her shoe collection is no less dynamic. A lifelong lover of fashion, her collection reflects her evolving creative sensibility and deep appreciation for design. It includes covetable names like Rick Owens and Maison Margiela, alongside unique and conceptual pieces by Zaha Hadid and United Nude.
Nigel Borell: A curator’s eye for cool
As the visionary behind Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art the landmark exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery in 2021, Nigel Borell redefined how Māori art is understood and celebrated in New Zealand.
Beyond the gallery, Borell is also a passionate footwear collector, particularly drawn to sneakers that balance colour and comfort and make a statement. The exhibition includes a pair of bright green and pink Nike high-tops bought when Auckland entered its most extended lockdown in 2021. With no big events, Borell only got to wear them a year and a half later.
Karepa Wall: Where style meets significance
With over 250 pairs of shoes, Karepa Wall’s collection is a striking expression of his leadership, culture, and style approach. The collection features everything from sequins and studs to fish-skin leather and kōwhaiwhai-embossed designs — each pair chosen with care and purpose and for its ability to match one of his equally impressive suits.
One of his earliest purchases was a pair of MaherX purple imitation snakeskin shoes with kōwhaiwhai details that Wall purchased to match a purple tuxedo and matching top hat.
“At The Dowse, we’re always looking for unique ways to connect contemporary art and design to the everyday experience. Well-Healed does just that, inviting audiences to explore personal stories through something as universal and expressive as shoes.”
Well-Healed: Shoes with Personality will run at The Dowse Art Museum from the 17th of May to the 6th of October 2025. Entry is free.
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