Te Arawa, Ngati Awa, Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tahu
Lewis was born and raised in Mataura, in Southland province in the South Island, then returned in 1989 to the family land in Rotoiti near Rotorua.
He attended Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, graduated in Maori Craft and Design and studied with Ross Hemara, Christina Wirihana and Lyonel Grant. It was during his final year that he was first introduced to the valuable taonga (treasure) pounamu(jade).
In 1995, he became a full-time jade and bone carver, specializing in traditional Maori imagery, and he is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most innovative Maori jade carvers for his unique style, design and composition, using many colours of jade.
Winning the Mana Pounamu Awards for contemporary Maori jade design in 1999, 2001 and 2003 further enhanced his reputation, and his jade works are prized by collectors in New Zealand, Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States. He participated in "Kiwa-Pacific Connections" (2003) in Vancouver, Canada.
Loading... Please wait...
