Pohutukawa Print

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. MEDIA: Paint, sketch, mixed media. REGION: Mt Pirongia/Te Pahu, Waikato, North Island, New Zealand. COMMISSIONS: Yes BIOGRAPHY: I am a 52nd generation Maori New Zealander and direct descendant to my tribe's paramount chief; Matene Te Nga. I began exhibiting and selling my art in 2005. I work from 'Toi Toi Studios and Productions Nz' located in the foothills of Mt Pirongia, overlooking the Waikato.