Tony Brown (Te Aupouri) is painting ‘the Māori within coming out.’ Drawing from childhood memories, some stories leak out onto the board while others stay held in until another day.
He explores his own Māori heritage and Māoritanga in his multi-disciplinary art practice. He is influenced by a keen interest in photography, particularly of Māori people at work and leisure in our society. Brown often combines photo-realism with references to traditional Māori art forms in his practice, including whakairo (carving) and tā moko (traditional Maori tattoo), which typically culminate as highly rendered drawings or paintings.
About the artist
Brown holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the University of Auckland, Manukau School of Visual Arts (2005). Recent exhibitions include: Paneke (2019), Corban Estate Arts Centre; Swims On (2016), Upstairs Art Gallery, Auckland; Huahua Manu (2015), Corban Estate Arts Centre; Shadows of Legends (2014), Upstairs Art Gallery, Auckland; Mo Tenei Wa (2011) Upstairs Art Gallery, Auckland; and In Ya Face (2009) Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland.
