• About me

Artist Bio

There are many ways to connect – in my work I trust my hands and my instinct making that bond. My art is influenced by my rural life on our papakāinga, Māori art and matauranga fostered by my whānau connections.
Over the last few years I have established my arts practice around using natural elements, often from the ngahere, then being transformed into sculptural work in the broader sense through traditional and modern weaving techniques. My connection and affection with te taiao becomes visible in my art through a subdued autumnal colour palette and rich textures.
Equally important to my finished work is the process, which includes wandering in the forest, listening, photographing and playful experimentation as part of developing a new body of work.

Short Artistic Curriculum Vitae

Education and Training

2022 – Diploma Te Reo Māori (level 6)
2018 – Diploma in Māori Art (Raranga/Weaving)
2016 – Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Arts and Design), Whitireia, New Zealand

Solo Exhibitions

2024     Reimagining Geometry – Pātaka Museum+Art, Porirua, New Zealand
2024     Still Standing Tall? – Art Installation, Kaipara Sculpture Park, New Zealand
2023     Shifting Perspective, Whakatāne Art Gallery, New Zealand
2023     Still Standing Tall – Art Installation, Waikanae Reserve, New Zealand
2022     Safe Space, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae, New Zealand
2021     Safe Space, Whirinaki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
2021     In Dialogue with Papatūānuku, From Out Of The Blue Gallery, Ōpunake , New Zealand
2020    Ko Papatūānuku e takoto ake nei, Hastings City Art Gallery, Hastings, New Zealand
2018     An Intimate Connection, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, Levin, New Zealand
2016     Topophilia – Love of Land, Mahara Gallery, Waikanae, New Zealand

Group Exhibitions (selected)

2025     Finalist – Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, Whakatāne, NZ
2024     Re:Object – Aotearoa Fellowship process exhibition, Depot Art Space, Auckland, NZ
2023     Form  –  The Collaboration NZ, New Plymouth, NZ
2023     Finalist – Toi Mahara Arts Review, Waikanae, NZ
2023     Finalist – Small Sculpture Price, Waiheke Community Art Gallery Waiheke Island, NZ
2023     Finalist – RT Nelson Sculpture Award, Wellington, New Zealand
2022     Pātaka and Friends Arts Award
2022     Finalist – Regional Arts Review, Whirinaki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt
2022     Finalist – Changing Thread Award, Nelson, New Zealand
2022     Finalist – RT Nelson Sculpture Award, Wellington, New Zealand
2022     Finalist – Molly Morpeth Canaday 3D Award,  Whakatāne, New Zealand
2021     Finalist – Small Sculpture Prize, Waiheke Community Art Gallery, Waiheke Island, NZ.
2020     Finalist – Regional Arts Review, Expressions Whirinaki, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
2019     Papakāinga – Thistle Hall, Wellington, New Zealand.
2018     Finalist – Regional Arts Review, Expressions Whirinaki, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

Residencies, Grants and Awards

2024     Object Maker Aotearoa Fellowship
2024     Award of Excellence, Changing Threads, Refinery Art Gallery, Nelson, New Zealand
2023     Highly Commended Award, RT Nelson Sculpture Award, Wellington, New Zealand
2022     Merit Award, Small Sculpture Prize, Waiheke Art Gallery, New Zealand
2022     Merit Award, Molly Morpeth Canaday 3d Sculpture Award
2021     Artist in Residency, From Out Of the Blue Gallery, Opunake, New Zealand
2018     Vibrant Communities Grand, Horowhenua District Council
2016     Best in Show, Toast Graduate Exhibition, Pataka, Porirua, New Zealand
2016     Whitireia Foundation Scholarship
2016     Judge Award, Friends of Pātaka, Porirua, New Zealand