Chris Bailey

"As a sculptor I constantly pay homage to the creations of my ancestors, celebrating the forms that they used and letting them evolve even further; such is the way with a living culture."

29 Jun 2006

Chris Bailey

"As a sculptor I constantly pay homage to the creations of my ancestors, celebrating the forms that they used and letting them evolve even further; such is the way with a living culture. It is important to bring those forms through to the modern day, out of the museums and into our daily lives to be used, celebrated and experienced. Ko te Ao Kohatu - Ko te Ao Hurihuri."

Chris Bailey is of Ngati Porou, Ngati Hako, and Te Aupouri heritage. He lives with his family on Waiheke Island where he works from his home studio. Having undertaken formal training at Waipapa, University of Auckland he has developed as a three dimensional artist working in materials that were used by his ancestors, such as stone, pounamu (NZ jade or greenstone), wood, fibre, shell and bone. His works range from large sculptural pieces through to smaller pieces and body adornment.

Chris takes a very hands on approach to his work, often using traditional techniques whether it be working with muka (flax fibre), dyeing fibre using traditional tree barks, stone knapping techniques or adzing out timber. In this way, he keeps the practices of his tupuna (ancestors) alive.

Chris is a member of the Piritahi Marae committee and is strongly involved with bringing Maori arts to the local community through exhibitions and workshops.

In June 2005, Chris received a grant from Creative New Zealand, the Arts Council of New Zealand, to develop a new collection of works for exhibition.

Chris Bailey is a licensed user of toi iho™ , a registered trade mark used to promote and sell authentic, quality Maori arts and crafts.

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Recent Exhibitions

• 2004

Matariki, Te Taumata Art Gallery, Auckland, June
New Works, Tahaa Gallery, Waiheke Island, November
Te Maia exhibition, Hawke's Bay Exhibition Centre, Hastings, December

• 2005

toi iho showcase, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, February
Te Wairua o Aotearoa, The Art Bungalow, Kerikeri, May
toi iho showcase, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, June
Toi Maori exhibition, Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts, San Francisco, USA, August,
Te Tau Ranga exhibition, Tauranga Arts Festival, Baycourt, Tauranga, October

• 2006

Chris Bailey- New Works, Waiheke Community Art Gallery, Waiheke Island
toi iho expo, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, June

Public Works

Piritahi Marae

Links

Artist Profile on toi iho website