Tangaroa - (Maori God of the Sea), by Rongo Tuhura © 2006, All Rights Reserved

Rongo

Artist Bio

Rongo Tangatake Tuhura was born in Gisborne, New Zealand in 1971, to parents Romeo Tuhura and Charlotte Tibble, each sharing a rich and diverse heritage. Being of Ngati Porou decent, Rongo acknowledges also his Spanish, Scottish, Norwegian, French, and Lebanese blood ties.

In 2008 Rongo emerged a recent graduate of the Te Toi o Nga Rangi Bachelor of Maori Visual Arts program run by esteemed local Maori Visual Arts School Toihoukura, Gisborne. Prior learning in multimedia: visual and graphic design held Rongo in good stead to progress swiftly and successfully through the program. However, like many artists, Rongo’s love and appreciation of art began at a very early age.

Inspired by the masters of the Renaissance era, Rongo was later encouraged to delve into his own culture and heritage where among many things he discovered diverse genealogies about the pantheon of the gods, great leaders of men, and inspiring histories concerning the audacious heroes and heroines of Maoridom.

Artist Statement

“I fell in love with my own culture, for its richness and diversity and its ability to encourage other cultures to protect and rekindle their own identities. Art brings our songs and stories and a glimpse of who we are to others with hopes to express, teach and inspire. The art I am creating now deals with strength, spirituality and the relationships connecting everyone and everything.”

- Rongo Tangatake Tuhura -

Education

2002 - New Zealand Film Academy, New Market, Auckland, Diploma in Film Level 3

2005 - Mātāpuna Training Center, Gisborne, Certificate of Graphic Design Level 3

2005 - Mātāpuna Training Center, Gisborne, Certificate of Visual Arts Level 3

2005 - Mātāpuna Training Center, Gisborne, Certificate of Multi Media Level 3

2006 - Toihoukura, Gisborne, Diploma Visual Art & Design (Māori) Year 3

2008 - Toihoukura, Gisborne, Advanced Diploma Visual Art & Design (Māori) Level 6

2008 - Toihoukura, Gisborne, Toi O Ngā Rangi Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts Level 7

Experience

Facilitator
Illustration and Painting Concepts

Example: 2010 - Whirikoka (Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Gisborne)
2 week workshop in Illustration, Painting, Conceptual Design, Life Drawing, Composition and Airbrush Introduction.

Fine Artist - Commission
Successful completion of numerous pieces requiring skill and creativity that meets clients’ visions.

Example: 2009 - Sir Āpirana Ngata – Large portrait of Sir Āpirana Ngata in Acrylic on M.D.F. to be gifted to Tairāwhiti Museum, Gisborne, Sir Āpirana’s family in attendance.

Example: 2006 – Little Warriors – Large portrait of clients’ three sons seated in traditional Māori attire, Acrylic on canvas.

Graphic Design

Example: 2009 - Gisborne District Council, Gisborne
Successfully Produce 8 logos to be implemented into GDC’s State of Community Report/Community Outcomes Strategy: Tairāwhiti By Choice

Example: 2008 - Kaiti Kindergarten, Kaiti, Gisborne
Successfully produce in visual format a logo that exemplifies Kaiti Kindergartens Philosophy, Produce several coloured variations of the logo

Example: 2004 - Te Runanga O Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki
Successfully produce a series of sketches/designs to be implemented on Te Runanga O
Ngāti Ruanui Website and successfully produce a permanent logo

Awards

2009 - Professor Jack Richards Working Scholarship

2006 - Dr. Kevin Makin Scholarship

Exhibitions

2011 - Tangata Whenua Exhibition (Solo), Gisborne

2009 - Pataka Museum (Group), Porirua, Wellington

2009 - Māori Art Market Exhibition, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua, Wellington

2008 - Māori Art Market Exhibition (Group), Wellington

2007 - Māori Art Market Exhibition (Group), Wellington

2007 - Tairāwhiti Museum (Group), Gisborne

2006 - The Navigator Exhibition, Aveia Art Gallery, Auckland

2006 - Tairāwhiti Museum (Group), Gisborne

2005 - Tairāwhiti Museum (Group), Gisborne

2005 - Ngā Tamariki o Tangaroa Exhibition, The Sandbar, Wainui Beach, Gisborne

2004 - Palm Desert Sister Cities Exhibition (Group), Palm Desert, California, U.S.A

2004 - McCallum Theatre Art Exhibition (Group), Palm Desert,California, U.S.A

2004 - Tairāwhiti Museum (Group), Gisborne

Want to learn more about the Artist?
Click on the link below to visit Rongo Tuhura's Website Gallery:
http://rongotuhura.webs.com/

Other Links

Creative Tairawhiti
URL: http://www.tairawhitiarts.net/?p=51

NZ Niche Greetings
URL: http://www.nznichegreetings.co.nz/store5/agora.cgi?cart_id=67.15477*LW7Y...

Maori Markets 2009
URL: http://www.tairawhitiarts.net/?p=1474