Cordula Taiwo

I view life as an ongoing, purposeful journey of contribution and learning. Raised in a small-business household in Germany, I shifted toward deep academic and existential inquiry, leading me to study Philosophy and Japanology at the University of Hamburg. Driven to experience concepts outside of textbooks, I relocated to Japan, where I spent several formative years living and practicing at Nagaoka Zenjuku in Kyoto—a traditional Zen training academy focused on character formation, rigorous communal discipline, and daily zazen (seated meditation).
This immersive period of mindful, monastic living directly complemented my academic studies, culminating in a Master of Arts in Buddhist Philosophy from Hanazono University, supported by several academic scholarships. After settling in New Zealand, I qualified as a secondary school educator, dedicating my career to building inclusive learning communities through critical thought, philosophical charity, and diverse languages and texts.
As an independent, self-taught artist, I view my practice outside institutional frameworks not as a limitation, but as a vital asset. It has allowed my creative work to evolve into a pure, unmediated ikigai (life's purpose).
While I draw inspiration from form...

Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning | Christchurch College of Education, NZ

Traditional Zen Residential Training | Nagaoka Zenjuku, Kyoto, Japan

Master of Arts (Buddhist Philosophy) | Hanazono University, Kyoto, Japan

Certified Program in Japanese Language & Culture | Fukui University, Japan

Studies in Philosophy and Japanology (D.B.A. Equivalent) | University of Hamburg, Germany

Solo Exhibitions

Of A Wild God | Willow Street, Tauranga, NZ (April 2026)
A raw, immersive solo exhibition establishing a conceptual dialogue on life, profound loss, and faith, inspired by the life and works of Nick Cave.

Of A Wild God | Thistle Hall, Wellington, NZ (February 2026)
A solo exhibition establishing a conceptual dialogue on life, profound loss, and faith, timed alongside Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ Wellington tour.

Art Seeks Wisdom | The Incubator Creative Hub, Tauranga, NZ (May 2024)
A curated solo collection exploring the invisible threads, shared anxieties, and quiet connections that bind human experiences.

Becoming | The Back Studio, Tauranga, NZ (October 2021)
An introductory solo exhibition centered on themes of compassion and community connection. 20% of all exhibition proceeds were donated to a non-profit therapy organization.