Tepora Watene

I started practicing fine art in 2004.The first art gallery owner I showed my art to said; 'tell me, you are Maori, yet your art is Egyptian?' Since then I have learned much about my Maori and ancient ancestry, Maori Culture and Art. My first solo exhibition filmed by Maori TV New Zealand titled, "The Forsaken" portrayed the symbols and hieroglyphs used by Legend Carriers (Scribes) to record events and history. As a 21st century scribe I use archetypal expressionism, hieroglyphs, petro glyphs, symbols, with traditional fine art methods to retell the legends of my people (iwi), family (whanau) and scenes from around my country (tangata whenua). I am also a writer researching the history of my people back to 4,000 BC for a book and film.

CURRENT PROJECTS
1.Illustration and writing of children's series of books titled 'The Legend of Pirongia Mountain'.
2. Series of visual Documentaries.
3. 2 x Commissions.
4. Artworks for 3 separate art exhibitions 'retelling' the history of my tribes, family, ancestors, culture, people and country.

INFLUENCES:
Ancient art, Maori Art, Constantin Severin; Founder of the Global Art Movement of Archetypal Expressionism, Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock, Monet, Cezanne, and Frida Kahlo.

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2007 Art Foundation Course; Learning Connexion, Wellington
2005 Art & Painting; Tutor - Pam Watson, Hamilton
69 – 72 Otahuhu College, Auckland; Pianoforte, Music, Latin, French, English and Science.

2005 ‘Group Exhibition’, Splashy Art Gallery, Horotiu, Waikato, NZ.
2006 ‘Go Figure’ Group Exhibition, Mixed Media Art Gallery, Hamilton, NZ.
2006 ‘Forsaken’ Solo Exhibition, SupaNova Studio Gallery, Gordonton, Waikato, NZ.
2007 ‘Forsaken’ Solo Exhibition, Empire Gallery, Cambridge.NZ.
2007 ‘Forsaken’ Solo Exhibition for King Tuheitia, Hukanui Marae, Gordonton, NZ.
2008 ‘Coastings’ Group Exhibition, Arts Post Gallery, Hamilton, NZ.
2008 ‘Pirongia Annual Art Awards’ Group Exhibition, Pirongia, NZ.
2009 ‘Solo Exhibition’, Pirongia Art Gallery, Pirongia, NZ
2009 ‘OSFA Exhibition’, Thornton Gallery, Hamilton, NZ.
2011 ‘Amiorangi Group Exhibition’, Thornton Gallery, Hamilton, NZ
2011 ‘OSFA Exhibition’, Thornton Gallery, Hamilton, NZ
2013 ‘OSFA Exhibition’, Gallery Artisans, Hamilton, NZ.
2015 ‘Group Exhibition’, Birdsong Gallery, Pirongia, NZ.
2015 ‘Group Exhibition’, Leadlight Gallery, Ohaupo, NZ.
2016 ‘Group Exhibition’, Birdsong Gallery, Pirongia, NZ.
2018 ‘Tepora’s Retrospective’, Solo Exhibition, Next Level Gallery, Hamilton, NZ.