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Vicky Thomas

Ko Maamaru te waka
Ko Kotipu te maunga
Ko Mangataiore te awa
Ko Ngati Kahu te iwi
Ko Managtaiore te marae

Bachelor of Design (Honours) 2005
Visual Communication - Photography Major
Unitec - Mt Albert, Auckland

Vicky's work is a blend of contemporary urban Maori experience and Maori tribal tradition. She explores iconic New Zealand imagery in a new way whilst at the same time teasing out the impact ‘things maori' are having in Aotearoa today.

Born in Auckland 1964, she grew up in Mangere, South Auckland. Her father is Ngati Kahu from the Far North and her mother is of Irish/Welsh descent and was born in Onehunga, Auckland. Apart from living in Australia for several years in her twenties, Vicky has lived in Auckland and is comfortable with describing herself as an Urban Maori.

Her work in part comes from a culmination of her life experiences and observations of being both Maori and Pakeha living in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Her ideas are often influenced by pop culture, film, television and music.