Traditionally when we think mens' shoes in Aotearoa, the image is somewhat dull.
Plain black or brown for dress and work wear, standard sneakers or jandals for leisure.
But, in recent years there's been a cultural shift with men meeting women in being known for their shoe collections.
Male footwear with a whole lot more creative personality is a passion of two Culture 101 guests.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland curator, artist and arts advocate Nigel Borell and Pōneke Wellington City Council officer Karepa Wall have, alongside artist Lisa Reihana, their shoes featured in a new exhibition Well Heeled: Shoes With Personality at the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt until October 6.
Karepa Wall is Chief Māori Officer at council and deputy chair of the runanga for Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui. Karepa has a strong background in education and the promotion of Te Reo Māori. And he is also the owner of 250 pairs of shoes. They feature everything from sequins and studs to fish-skin leather and horsehair.
Nigel Borell is best known as the curator behind 2020 landmark exhibition Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art, the largest and best attended show in the Auckland Art Gallery's history. A Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit he is Curator of Taonga Māori at the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.
