Biography

Born: Auckland.

Lives: Auckland

Education: Diploma in Design (Visual Communications) Unitec, Auckland (1992)

Awards/Distinctions: Wallace Art Awards – Finalist (2017, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007); Fulbright Awards – Finalist (2017, 2013); New Zealand Magazine Awards, Designer of the Year (2004)

Solo Exhibitions: A Retrospective, Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2019); My 70’s Show, Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2019); Places to Be, Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2018); Flower Power,  Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2018); OK Salami, Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2015); Places to be Naked,  Matakana, Auckland (2015); I Love SummerArt by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2014); A Low Budget UniverseArt by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2012); Little Bigger Surfer, Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2012); 1987Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2011);  Bionic BoyArt by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2010); Video Killed the Radio Star Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2009); Little Surfer, The Parnell Gallery, Parnell, Auckland (2009); This Means War, The Wallace Trust Gallery, Queen Street, Auckland Central, (2008); Little Treasures, Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2008); Little Mischief, Satellite Gallery, Newton, Auckland, (2008); Little Warrior, Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2007); 100 Trees Satellite Gallery, Newton, Auckland and Art by The Sea, Devonport, Auckland (2006); XYZ, Lake House Art Centre, Takapuna, Auckland (2003);  Toi Toi Experiment, Artstation, Ponsonby, Auckland and The Depot Artspace, Devonport. Auckland (2002); Nudy Landscape, The Depot Artspace, Devonport, Auckland (2002); Moody Landscape, Textures Gallery, Auckland (2002).

Public Exhibitions: Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke, Auckland (2015, 2013, 2011, 2009); Sculpture on the Shore, Narrowneck, Auckland (2012, 2010, 2008, 2006); The Wallace Awards Salon des Refusés, ; Low Flying Cars Sculpture Symposium, Dairy Flat, Auckland (2009); Lake House Sculpture Syposium, Takapuna, Auckland (2009, 2007, 2005, 2003); The Wallace Awards Traveling Exhibition, Aotea Centre Auckland and The New Dowse, Wellington (2008); Ellerslie Flower Show, Auckland (2007); Matakana Sculpture Symposium, Matakana, Auckland (2006, 2005); Art in the Woolshed, Tawharanui Regional Park, Warkworth (2006).

Public Commissions: Art on the Beach, Piha, Installation commissioned by Lopdell House Gallery, Waitakere City, Auckland (2006)

Publications/Articles: ‘Artists’ Impressions of New Zealand’ by Denis Robinson (2011); New Zealand’s Island Ruled by Artists by Stephen Phelan, The Guardian, (1 July 2011); ‘Big Balsa’ by Steven Shaw, Make: Magazine, Issue 18, pp 21;  ‘New Zealand on Canvas’ by Denis Robinson (2009), ‘NZ’s Favourite Artists 2’ by Denis Robinson (2008), ‘Toi Story’ by Kerri McDonald, Pulp Cinematic Magazine; Issue 29, pp 26, Aug/Sep 2002.

Collections: Wallace Arts Trust, Auckland

Other Achievements: This Giant Papier Mache Boulder Is Actually Really Heavy
(Feature Film: Writer/Director/ Producer – 2016)
Winner Best Comedy – Boston Sci Fi Film Festival 2016
Winner Best Comedy – London Sci Fi Film Festival 2016
Winner Best Comedy – Miami Sci Fi Film Festival 2017
Winner Best Sci Fi – Gencon Film Festival 2016
Winner Best Independent Film (supreme award) – Starburst Film Festival 2016
Winner Best Production Design – The Zone Film Festival 2016
Winner Staff Choice Best Feature – Another hole in the head film festival 2016
Winner Sir Julius Vogel Award 2017

Artist Statement

I like to be creative in as many ways as possible. Whatever it is to get across my idea and explore what I am doing. I make sculptures. I do large installations in the landscape. I use photography, paint, screen printing, have a rock band, I make videos and film. This is the way want to continue. I pride my self in doing different things.

It’s what I enjoy doing. We should all do things we enjoy.

I have always wanted people to get my work. When I have something to say I want you to know what that is. I do not usually do stuff that nobody can understand. Sometimes it can be a little cryptic, I know not everybody gets all of it, but as long as they understand some of it then I am on the right track.

Art for me is a passion. Sometimes pure instinct, sometimes quite structured, but usually it’s a fairly organic process. It makes me feel good to express myself. And it’s great to be able to share that with others.
Thank you for the love.

History

I was a designer for many years until finally I realised this was not really what I was meant to do. So I left the world of art directing ads and magazines and logos and followed a dream that had been nagging me for too long. That is how I love to live my life now. Creating my own work for me in the hope that others may share in what I do. It’s not easy though. Because I still have to eat. Design has always played a pivotal part in what I do and I value this highly. But it’s great when the only client is me.