Ōtaki
Here is just some of my recent MOKO work made at my new private Ōtaki (Wellington) based studio.
Thank you to all of my lovely clients.
With one of my lovely clients that traveled from Te Wai Pounamu.
Now showing at Toi Matarau Gallery (Māoriland Hub), Ōtaki, New Zealand.
I am pleased to now have a collection of my new paintings now available at Toi Matarau Gallery (Māoriland Hub) in Ōtaki.
Now that I am painting a lot, I am on the lookout for galleries in different locations to exhibit and sell my work.
I am really loving the organic round form and i’m currently experimenting with different canvas shapes.
Showing at Toi Matarau Gallery, Ōtaki, New Zealand.
Detail of ‘Poly Power’. SOLD.
Showing at Toi Matarau Gallery, Ōtaki, New Zealand.
‘Poly Power’ for sale at Toi Matarau Gallery, Māoriland Hub, Ōtaki, New Zealand. Now SOLD.
‘He Ao Hou II’ now SOLD.
‘A new dawn’ now SOLD.
My 'Puanga' painting. Click on the image to buy yours.
I am excited to be a part of a collaborative group Māori art exhibition opening at The Māoriland Hub on Tuesday 10th July at 5.30PM in Ōtaki.
CLICK HERE to learn more about this exhibition and its calendar of special events.
Tattooing one of my relations at Hongoeka Marae.
I’ve written this quick reference to help guide you in the process of preparing for your tā moko booking with me. The following process has arisen from my experience and each step is there for good reason. For optimum results, prepare yourself in the optimum manner. You are worth it, your moko is worth it, and my time is worth it.
1. Have a good nights sleep the night before. Don’t go out. Don’t drink or drug the night before (and don’t come to me on the day of your booking under the influence – I won’t tattoo you and you’ll have to come back another day.)
2. Eat a good breakfast the morning of your booking. I don’t want you getting light headed on me. Food will give you strength, stamina and endurance.
3. Be clear on what you want your moko to represent. Think about. Sleep on it. What do you really really really want your moko to represent for you? What do you feel in your bones? What do you know to be true for you? Talk to your whānau about it if you want to – but ultimately YOU need to know what you want.
4. Think about WHY you want your tā moko. The clearer you are in your own mind, heart, soul, body and spirit, the better the final outcome will be for us both. Write it down for yourself if this helps you clarify your thoughts - however ultimately you will need to communicate this to me face to face at the time of your booking.
Please note that I do not tattoo designs drawn by other people. Allow me to do my job and design for you, your own custom unique one off piece.
Thanks for reading!
Mauriora!
Moko is alive and ever evolving. Moko links us to the past and to the future. Moko is a gift from the gods.
Moko is a taonga from our ancestors. Moko is about whakapapa. Moko is about dna. Moko is both a privilege and a birthright too. Moko tells a story. Moko beautifies. Moko heals.
Moko transforms. Moko is both an art form and a cultural practice. Moko is for men and women. Moko is uniquely and exclusively Māori. Moko is about genealogy.
Moko is about pride. Moko is about claiming your identity and standing in your power as a human being. Moko is about whānau, hapū and iwi.
Moko is about belonging. Moko is about contributing to your community.
Moko is about consciously choosing to walk a good path in life. Moko is about being the best person that you can be. Moko is both ancient and modern, traditional and contemporary.
Moko is about caring for others, especially those smaller or more vulnerable than you. Moko is about facing and dealing to your demons, your fear, your pain and your past wrong doings. Moko is about living your life peacefully.
Moko is about being true to yourself. Moko is a way of honoring your ancestors whom you have come from, and leaving a legacy for your descendants. Moko is a blueprint.
