VISIT OUR STORE
Open Mon- Fri 10:30am - 5:30pm . Sat 11am - 4pm . Sunday by appointment . 19 Tory Street, Wellington, Aotearoa, New Zealand
Nau Mai Haere Mai.
Welcome to Iwi Art online.
Iwi Art’s mission is to be a successful Maori art exhibition, retail and wholesale business.
In doing so, Iwi Art also aims to remain true to the wishes of our Maori ancestors that the taonga of traditional design be nurtured and protected. Iwi Art is committed to supporting the ongoing production of traditional design through:
- sensitive selling methods;
- appropriate exhibition of artwork;
- ongoing commitment to the replanting of native trees;
- observing Kaitahu kaitiakitanga of pounamu; and
- working closely with and supporting Maori artists who continue to create and innovate within the styles bequeathed by our ancestors.
Kia u ki te wairua o Toi - hold on to the creative spirit.
Feature Artist
Lewis Tamihana Gardiner
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.
