KIA ORA TATOU

Maori worldviews and spirituality are strong influences in my work.

Since 1985, I have lived and worked as an artist in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

WHAKAKOTAHI 1010x1210mm eggtempera and oil on canvas. WHAKAKOTAHI Coming together 'Tupaia' of Maori descent accompanied Captain Cook on one of his voyages in New Zealand Waters. His drawing of a Maori person sharing kai (food) with the 'White Man' - in this case crayfish - illustrates quite beautifully early New Zealand culture in its making. I used this image in a clear and defined way, then I multiplied and changed it to the degree that it becomes something different. Our race relations are based on these very early encounters of two people, two cultures. Puahaire Tioriori (Ngati Mahuta) was the granddaughter of King Tawhiao Potatou Te Wherowhero. Her sketchy image represents the strong underlying foundations of the Maori world. The domineering 'Hei Tiki', the mana of this land, is there for all its people.