Amiria Puia-Taylor is a practicing mural artist/mentor and a ‘People Weaver’ using public arts to create awareness culturally, socially, creatively and politically of the hidden stories that exist within the landscapes of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).

Formally trained with a BA in Visual Arts (2012) at Manukau School of Visual Arts. Amiria went on to receive one of three Pasifika Internships (2014) administered by Tautai under the Creative New Zealand Pasifika internship initiative. She spent 10 weeks in the Learning and Engagement department at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, with another 5 weeks at both Blue Oyster Art Project Space in Dunedin and

Amiria has the combined experience of 10 years as a mural artist, 6 years’ experience in various roles of governance and advisory across the board from artists, community organisations, hapu, iwi to local and national governments. She has created a sustainable business model that enables her to honour and practice her cultural knowledge from being raised by her elders from both her Māori and Pacific blood ties into her new cultural arts practice as a ‘People Weaver’ weaving various parts of the spectrum of the creative arts industries from large institutions of organisations who are missing the voices of their communities, community groups and artists who need cultural or community support.

During Amiria’s creative arts journey she founded a mural arts initiative Painting for the People (PFTP) set up for young students to paint as a means of working in the community and generating an income for themselves. Since then PFTP which has since transitioned into the visual arts arm of a not for profit arts charity for youth called Aotearoa Urban Arts Trust (AUAT) that Amiria and her colleagues Dr Olivia Laita and Janine Willams run out of Studio 40, Onehunga. This has enabled Amiria to continue practicing Mural Arts and strengthening communities by applying her ‘People Weaving’ skills into each mural project.

Amiria has been commissioned for a wide range of projects including, Mangere East Mural Project, 2015; Ko Awatea Mural Project, 2015; Firefly/Getagrip Mural Project, 2014;  Papakura Mural Project featured at White Night, Auckland Arts Festival, 2013; Southside Arts Festival: Mangere Town Centre Mural Project and Residency, Mangere Arts Centre and Manawhenua, Mountain View Primary School and Mangere Historic Society, 2013; Pirianga Toto/Blood ties: NZ Cook Island Artists Exhibition, Fresh Gallery Otara, 2013; Papatoetoe Central School Mural Project, 2012; Muscular Dystrophy Association Mural Project, Penrose, 2012; Tahuna Pa Marae Mural, Tahuna Pa Marae, 2012; Dawson Medical Centre Mural Project with MIT and MBCT, 2012; Panel Discussion as a part of Southside Arts Festival at Papakura Art Gallery 2012; Tahuna Marae Family Exhibition, Tahuna Pa Marae, 2011; Fulton Hogan Mural Project, 2011; Pearl Baker Drive Mural Project, Pearl Baker Drive Shops with MBCT, 2011; ­­VAANA Community Mural Project Exhibition (AGGS Coordinator) at Disrupt Gallery Kroad, 2006.