Gareth is an artist specialising in carving, and is currently a senior lecturer on the Digital Media portfolio of programs at Te Auaha, the WelTec and Whitireia creative campus in Wellington. Gareth has been in teaching and teaching management for the last 10 years. Prior to this he worked within the New Zealand film industry at Weta workshop for 10 years, the last 5 of those as the workshop Supervisor. Gareth continues to foster working relationships within the New Zealand film industry and on occassion completes freelance work in this field. Gareths teaching practice is based within art and design process, specialising in physical media, model making, props design and manufacture process. His personal creative practice is based in Taonga Tangata personal carved adornment work and this is held and sold by several galleries both in New Zealand and internationally.
Taonga Tangata, Whakairo Wheua, carved adornment work.
MIHI MIHI; Ko Te mata te Maunga, Ko Tuki Tuki te Awa, E Whanau I Au E Heretaunga. Ngati Irihi, Ngati Kotimana oku Tipuna, engari, Ngati Kahungunu Ki Heretanga toku Whenua.
The Kaupupa I work within is Wairua based, Te Ao Marama provides my inspiration, my materials, and my purpose as an artist. My ancesters, and contempories, provide a template of excellence in craftsmanship.The creation of wearable artworks, heavily influenced by the natural world around me,coupled with the cultural history of the land I call my home, gives me peace, and direction. Having this work worn, seen, and enjoyed by others completes for me the creative cycle.
Industry
In Gareth’s capacity as Workshop Supervisor, at Weta workshop, he was responsible for overseeing the production of props, armour, costumes, weapons, miniatures, prosthetics, vehicles, specialty wardrobe props and public artworks. Films included: Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, King Kong, Black Sheep, Daybreakers, Under the Mountain, Prince Caspian, 30 Days of Night, The Legend of Zorro, The Lovely Bones, District 9 and Avatar. Public artworks included: the Rugby World Cup Sculpture in Wellington, Floating Iceberg ad campaign Wellington, Bronze Warg sculpture, Blizzard HQ USA, large scale props for the Rock to Wellington concert, installation artworks LOTR premier Wellington, Omaka air museum dioramas, Nightclub Dragon Melbourne Australia, Sir Keith Park memorial sculpture, Trafalgar Square London and the Bomber Command Memorial in Auckland.
