More info about Simon can be found on the “Meet Our Artists” page.

Simon lives in Masterton and is a 2D and 3D artist. Simon’s 2D work has in the past included painting, drawing, printmaking and photography. Current work is dominated by the use of collage involving printmaking, painting and drawing techniques to explore ideas around identity, ancestry, community and connection.

“While my work on canvas is abstract, it is based on images of vessels which are used metaphorically as storage for knowledge and wisdom passed down through society and family. Where we lived for a while in the Cook Islands, your ancestors (Tupuna) are buried at your house so that they are always with you. The use of translucent media in making the ‘Tupuna’ series is intended to evoke a sense of the past being always present and influencing the way we live our lives. Alongside these ideas informing the work are the usual artistic considerations of form, pattern, harmony, colour, balance etc. The wood grain element references the way that the annual rings in trees are a stored record of the past as well as a nod to my work as a woodworker and furniture maker. The wooden frames that I make are an integral part of the work.”

“Each work begins with an underpainting in acrylic paints on canvas that is eventually completely covered with collage layers. Hints of the underpainting show through the translucent collage. The preparation on collage papers begins with staining the paper with timber stains followed by a rubbing of wood grain from a wire brushed slab of oak using printing ink. The collage elements are cut using a knife and templates that have been made from scrap MDF. The shapes are informed by my woodturning practice. The shapes are shaded to give a suggestion of three dimensional form using charcoal and coloured pencil, sealed then glued onto the canvas. The frames are made from selected timbers using furniture making equipment and techniques.”

The Tupuna Series measures 97cm wide by 67cm height.