Thank you to everyone who made it to my exhibition opening last week. It was a busy and hearty opening, and I feel grateful for all the support I received from you all.
Thank you to the Studio One Toi Tū crew for hosting and supporting 5 exhibition openings and looking after an army of visitors.
Thank you to the DJs Djskarob and Miss Bel-Q for the musical ambience of the smoothest tunes.
And a massive thank you to the wonderful and super-talented Tatiana Harper Photography for the sensitive eye and incredible pictures.
Where Are You From? is on until 26 October at Gallery 4, Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Ponsonby Rd.
Opening hours are Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm, Saturday, 10am-4pm.
It’s a whole different experience to see these paintings in life-size than seeing them on screen; go check them out in real life.

 


Here’s a link for the interview about Where Are You From? with Liam from Various Artists on 95bfm. The exhibition opening is today, 5-7 pm, at the newly refurbished Studio One Toi Tū . See you there!

 

When people of ethnic backgrounds are asked, “Where are you from?”; not only does this question imply a lack of belonging, but it is also laden with assumptions. One of these assumptions is that there is a simple answer to the question, that they are from one specific place or background.

In reality, people’s backgrounds are complex and layered. Within this collection, each portrait offers a nuanced depiction, showcasing individuality while celebrating agency, strength, and beauty.

Drawing upon my own immigrant experiences to capture the rich cultural diversity of Tāmaki Makaurau’s communities. Through my artwork, I prompt viewers to contemplate the assumptions that often arise when

encountering people from different backgrounds.

Immerse yourself in a vibrant and captivating collection of representational portraits featuring individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, at the newly refurbished Studio One Toi Tu, 1 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, from Thursday, 28 September for a month.

 

 

Exhibition opening: Wed 27 Sep 5pm

Where Are You From? A collection of portraits of Aucklanders. I’ve been working on these paintings for the last year and can’t wait to share them with you! The Exhibition Opening is this Saturday, August 12, from 12 to 2 pm at the Nathan Homestead Pukepuke, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa- I would LOVE to see you there.

The exhibition is on till September 4 at the Sitting Room Gallery.

Who doesn’t love stickers? As a child, I cherished my sticker collection and still enjoy a good sticker.
Recently, I had a blast collaborating with StickerDot to create a custom sticker featuring my collage art.
StickerDot offers a wide range of custom stickers, and I couldn’t resist designing my own. The process was fun, and I chose the “Vaffancoolu” design as it best captured my artwork’s essence.
I opted for StickerDot’s Bumper Sticker with a PVC Gloss finish, featuring a square shape with clean edges that complemented my collage art.
  Placing it on the back of my phone, my sticker adds a personal touch and sparks engaging conversations with others.
Along with my custom sticker, I received an impressive sample pack from StickerDot, leaving me eager to explore more designs and place another order.
In the meantime, I will add a complementary sticker to any order from my online shop.

I’ve been asked for more college opportunities, so I’m delighted to invite you to immerse yourself in deep collage magic in my own creative studio space! I am providing a few special sessions in July and August to allow you all the freedom and flexibility you desire. Take all the time you need to explore your artistic visions and bring them to life. Whether you have a large-scale project in mind or seek a moment of inspiration, these sessions are to accommodate your creative journey with my responsive guidance and support. During your time in my lovely Parau studio, you will have access to my wide range of materials and tools to elevate and enhance your artistic process. Whether you prefer working on paper or experimenting with three-dimensional projects, the possibilities are endless. Booking is essential to secure your spot in these intimate studio sessions!

We had an amazing day in Te Uru Gallery’s spacious and cosy workshop space, collaging and connecting. Participants came from different creative backgrounds but all enjoyed the unique experience; letting go of any expectations or plans and following intuition as a guide for the creative process.
One interesting feedback was:
“It’s not as relaxing as promised !” – a great reminder that creative flow is not always easy to tap into and can be challenging at times.
Whichever way it goes, it is always a highly rewarding experience.

Embark on a journey of self-expression that will help you tap into your intuition. You will curate a symbolic portrait that tells your unique story and reflects your individuality, by selecting images, colours, and textures that resonate with you and experimenting with various techniques ranging from spontaneous tearing to precise detail cutting. Expect happy accidents and unexpected surprises.

Saturday 24 June 10 am to 3 pm at Te Uru Gallery, Titirangi. To book your place, email: info@teuru.org.nz

 

Thank you to each and every one who made it to the exhibition opening of A Place To Call Home, last night at The Bergman Gallery! It has been a huge night. Feeling blessed to have so many friendly faces and super grateful to have my stunning model Genevieve and her family too. Special thanks to the talented curator Benny Chan. The exhibition is on till 8 July.

A Place to Call Home, the first group exhibition of contemporary New Zealand Asian art developed by Benny Chanat at the Bergman Gallery, will open next week on Thursday, June 15.
Through paintings, photography, sculpture and ceramics, A Place to Call Home places a bright focus on the declaration that New Zealand is, indeed, home to artists from the Pacific and Asian continent, including Korea, China, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia, Persia and the Middle East.