About

 

As a Pakeha artist who has connected closely to Maori and Pasifika cultures my whole life, I've been clarifying my own personal identity by looking closely at these Pacific Islands we live in and the cultural region that exists in our part of the world. Who I am is embodied to a large extent on where I live, and therefore in the way people have seen the Pacific over numerous generations.

 My work conveys layers of time and space, as well as connections between them. It flows between the people and cultures of the past and who we are now and what we think now. What we are today is influenced by what has gone before and so often multiple layers are visible in my work. In the tradition of kaumatua (Maori elders) who tell different stories while referring to the same carvings in a whare whakairo (carved meeting house), I encourage everyone to attach their own narratives to my pieces. 

With years of experience as an art teacher, national examiner, and advisor, I’ve had the privilege of learning from students and teachers, especially in vibrant South Auckland communities. These experiences have enriched my practice and deepened my understanding of the stories we all carry. Having spent a number of years living and working in Australia, I now create from my studios in Nelson and Hahei.  

Every piece I create has a narrative, celebrating the layers of history, culture, and identity that connect us all. I invite you to explore my work and discover how it resonates with your own story.