'KAPU'

 

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J a m e s   H e n r y   A t u t a h i

 

 All my pieces are hand carved, though I reproduce some,

as they are my 'bread & butters'

or have been commissioned,they are all individually carved

and have that personal touch.

      

                                                                                                                                   

 

James grew up in Maketu on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
His Mother is of Nga Puhi, Ngati Hine, from Pipiwai in Northland.
 
Leaving his Pakeha Father, while pregnant with James, James’s Mother moved to Maketu, 

met and married his Stepfather (Dad) who is of Te Arawa, Rangiteorere.
 
At the age of 12 James learnt to surf at Maketu & since then surfing and 

the ocean in general have featured predominantly in James’s life.
 
In 1991 James spent 2 years in prison where He learnt to carve on custom wood. 

This took his mind off the waves and gave him a creative outlet.
 
James started out carving traditional Maori Art and surf icons 

(creating many surf trophies for New Zealand surf competitions). 

Since then his art has evolved into an eclectic mix of both.
 
James’s ideas are greatly influenced by his strong affinity with the ocean and 

the forms and symbology borrowed from the past for contemporary Maori Art.
 
Though James has carved with native wood,  he continues to use 

custom wood as it is the most versatile medium for the effect and designs he prefers.
 
James has been working solely as a carver since 2004. 

He works from his studio (garage) and stocks eleven Art Galleriesin New Zealand. 

James is regularly invited to exhibit with others and his Artworks are held in international 

private collections including an 8ft long, 60kg surfboard carving shipped off to Oman.
 

  

 

 

 

 

Galleries

 

 

My Pieces can be viewed and bought from the following Galleries

 

 

Helena Bay      HELENA BAY GALLERY

 

Raglan     KANUKA

 

Queenstown     KAPA DESIGN GALLERY

 

Cambridge     HERITAGE GALLERY

 

Hanmer Springs    MAJUBA GALLERY

 

Taupo     KURA GALLERY

 

Auckland     KURA CONTEMPORARY ETHNIC ART

 

Hot Water Beach     MOKO

 

Wellington      KURA CONTEMPORARY ETHNIC ART

 

Taranaki      KINA DESIGN AND ART SPACE

 

Ohope Beach      4 ARTSAKE

 

Whangarei      BURNING ISSUES

 

Mt Maunganui      'STARBUCKS'

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibitions 

 

 

2006/2008

Mazda Art Works at HILTON HOTEL in Auckland

 

2005

The Toi Maori Art Exhibition 'Te Tau Ranga'; The Gathering, the Coming Together' in Tauranga

 

2004 / 2005

Montana Jazz Festival Art Exhibition in Tauranga.

‘Rangiãtea’ (seeds of Maori) at THE DEPO ARTSPACE, Devonport in Auckland.

 

2004  

‘Children of Tangaroa’ at ARTSPOST in Hamilton

‘The James Henry Atutahi Exhibition’ at ZOHAR in Mount Maunganui.