Hariata Ropata Tangahoe (Ngati Toa, Ngati Raukawa, Te Atiawa, Welsh and Italian descent) lives and works in Otaki on the Kapiti Coast. Born in Otaki in 1952, and later living in Auckland, Ropata heard stories of her female ancestors’ way of life in a coastal landscape and feeling intrigued, decided to return in 1985. Whakapapa became the foundation of the conceptual narratives in her paintings.

Ropata takes a biographical approach to her work, by using her art to metaphorically portray what she sees as her place and 'sense of self ' in relation to the past as well as the present. Ropata’s work is well known for its reimagining of traditional Christian images and concepts.

The Faithful Angel is a figure in the Rātana Church and pan-iwi political movement, symbolically represented by the colour purple in the star-shaped motif of the organisation. Angels play an important role in Rātana religion and are seen as heralds of God’s word. The artist’s paintings often take the viewer to the timeless and unworldly corners of the subconscious and capture deeply profound ways of thinking about whakapapa.

Ropata received a Master’s degree from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland and has exhibited extensively throughout New Zealand. Her work is represented in many significant collections, such as Te Papa Tongarewa, the BNZ Collection and the Dowse Collection.

The frame for Anahera te pono (Faithful Angel) was made by the artists friend and carver Leonard Taylor.