Artist
Wi Taepa
- Name
- Wi Taepa
- Iwi/Ethnicity
- Ngāti Pikiao/MāoriTe Arawa/MāoriTe Āti Awa/MāoriNgāti Te Roro o Te Rangi/Ngāti Whakaue/Māori
- Date of Birth
- 04 Apr 1946
- Place of Birth
- Wellington (region)/New Zealand
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Artworks
Biography
Wi Taepa was born in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, with much of his early childhood spent at the Te Āti Awa settlement Waiwhetu Marae. The family later moved to Ōtaki and finally Whanganui, where Taepa studied at Wanganui Technical College (now Whanganui City College).
On returning to New Zealand having served in the Vietnam War, Taepa held a number of roles in reform and rehabilitation programmes teaching wood, bone and stone carving. He also began to experiment with clay.
Using coiling, pinching and slab techniques, Taepa forms his sculptures by hand. This tactile approach to building and shaping produces organic and textural forms.
On returning to New Zealand having served in the Vietnam War, Taepa held a number of roles in reform and rehabilitation programmes teaching wood, bone and stone carving. He also began to experiment with clay.
Using coiling, pinching and slab techniques, Taepa forms his sculptures by hand. This tactile approach to building and shaping produces organic and textural forms.
Artworks by Wi Taepa (3)
Ipu Mauri
Wi Taepa
circa 1997
Artwork
Untitled (Punch Patterns), 2002
Wi Taepa
2002
Artwork
Mahere Mapping Series: Untitled
Wi Taepa
2002
Artwork
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