Rua Pick - Artist Rua Pick was born on Moturua Island in 1968. Rua was named by Rongo and Te Aue Hakaraia, very close family friends. He grew up with an artistic family in the Bay of Islands. His Father a potter, his Mother and Sister both painters, the family was always surrounded by art and artists. During 1983 & 1984, Rua was inspired by the tutorage of Selwyn Wilson who taught him kowhaiwhai and encouraged him to pursue his creative style, empowering and enabling him to follow his artistic path. Rua’s early influences were Goya and Dali. After leaving school Rua studied oil painting techniques from books focusing on 17th Century Dutch Painters. He traveled to Europe in 1988. The Prado and Dali Theatre Museums were pivotal experiences on his creative journey. On returning to New Zealand with his mind completely saturated with art, Rua moved to Raglan and developed his style in the genres of Social Surrealism, Mysticism and Symbolism. In 1992, Rua completed a year at the Canterbury School of Fine Arts. He fell in love with the South Island, its deep mystery permeating the land and its people. For the past fourteen years Rua’s work has followed a personal inner journey on the river of the mind. This has dealt with the process of separation, vulnerability, empowerment and integration. Throughout Rua’s life Maori symbology has asserted itself strongly in his work. Polynesian influences surrounded Rua throughout his life and he has a strong affinity with the Land and the Sea. Rua’s Paintings reflect the stories/narratives of the experiences of Rangi, Papatuanuku and their children over the ages. Concrete images narrate Rua’s views and comments to a broad audience. Through his art he honours the timelessness of Ancient histories and mythologies of this land and its peoples. Rua is committed to discussing the world with others through his art. In this process he swings from the dark/Po to the light/Ma, taking inspiration from both worlds. www.ruapick.vc.net.nz BACKGROUND 1968 Born Moturua Island, New Zealand 1979 Lived in the Cook Islands 1982-1985 Bay of Islands College 1988 Travelled to Europe and UK 1992 Ilam School of Fine Arts 1995 Toko Mata Studio established 2002 Toko Mata Gallery & Studio established 2009 - Guest Artist at Nelson Suter Art Society Autumn Show COMPETITIONS 2003 Art Waikato National Art Awards Finalist 1994-96, 1998-2002, 2005-07 Wallace Trust Finalist 1999 Wallace Trust / Visa Gold Art Award Finalist 2000 NZ Portrait Competition Finalist 2001 Art Waikato National Art Awards Finalist 2001, 2002 Mainland Awards Finalist COLLECTIONS 1996 & 1998 James Wallace Trust Auckland 1998 Wakefield Christchurch 2004, 2005 Elworthy Maungati 2008 Aigantighe Art Gallery,Timaru Whangarei Art Musuem,Whangarei COMMISSIONS 1994 Painted murals for .Java Café [Christchurch] .Quadraphenia Bar (entire interior) .Café Bleu – Restaurant & Bar 2001 - 2004 Set designs, logo and concepts for ‘Destination Dance Party’ (Cave Stream – Southern Alps, New Zealand) PUBLICATIONS 2006 - 61 Paintings feature in the book – ‘Whispers of Waitaha’ - Takehe magazine issue 57 2008 - Cover of Alchemy of The Islands - an anthology of New Zealand & Cuban Poetry 2009 -21 illustrations for Snake Songs - Haiku By Doc Drumheller Solo Exhibitions: 2008 Te Whare o Anupihi, Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru Nga Huarahi Tawhito, Toko Mata Gallery, Christchurch Te Ngahuru ki Te Kohanga Toko Mata Gallery, Christchurch 2007 Te Whakaohonga Toko Mata Gallery, Christchurch 2006 Purapura Whetu Toko Mata Gallery, Christchurch 2005 Selection of works Toko Mata Gallery & Studio, Christchurch 2004 Rangi Ao Toko Mata Gallery & Studio, Christchurch Kowhai Toko Mata Gallery & Studio, Christchurch 2003 Toi iti Toko Mata Gallery & Studio, Christchurch Tangaroa Toko Mata Gallery & Studio, Christchurch 2002 Poouri Toko Mata Gallery & Studio, Christchurch Stirring Minatures Stir Cafe, Christchurch Ari Toko Mata Gallery & Studio, Christchurch 2000 Kura Space Gallery, Christchurch 1999 Night-Eagle Viewing Unit One Gallery, Christchurch Learning To Fly Vault Café/Gallery, Christchurch 1998 Whakahonere Tuapapa Art Attack Gallery, Christchurch Figure It Out Vault Café/Gallery, Christchurch Shadow Play Space Gallery, Christchurch 1997 Waihaka Venus Café, Christchurch The Flight of the Buzzy Bee Space Gallery, Christchurch 1996 Tawhito Koropiko Toko Mata Studio, Christchurch When The Bad Toys Came Out To Play King Edward Barracks, Christchurch 1995 Noho Rangimarie Over The Top Gallery, Christchurch Open Statement Dux de Lux, Christchurch Kotahitanga Luna Café, Christchurch 1994 Decoded Java Café, Christchurch 1993 Silent Revolution Growth Rings Tree Gallery, Christchurch 1992 Hanging Walls Caffeine Café, Christchurch 1991 Evolutions Old School Gallery, Raglan 1990 Call Of The Wild Heart & Soul Gallery, Hamilton 1989 Out & About Entrance Gallery, Russell SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS: 2009 -Snake Songs Book Launch Toko mata Gallery -- Art In The Park Wanaka -- Guest Artist at Nelson Suter Art Society Autumn Show - Suter Art Gallery 2008 Aigantighe Centennial Exhibition, Aigantighe Gallery, Timaru Artists For Save Our Water, NG Gallery, Christchurch 2007 Art Trek 07 Toko Mata Gallery, Christchurch He Panga Rawe; Special Connections Sofa Gallery, Christchurch 16th Annual Wallace Art Awards • Aotea Centre Auckland • The New Dowse Lower Hutt 2006 Art Beat Christchurch South Island NZ Tattoo and Art Expo. Christchurch Co-Existence Auckland 2005 Original Art Sale Auckland 2004 Sustainability Council Art Auction Auckland 2004, 2005 NZ Affordable Art Show Wellington 2003 Maori Women’s Welfare League-Gardenz, Christchurch 2003 Buddist Exhibition The Arts Center, Christchurch 2002 Group Show Fitzroy Gallery, Christchurch 2002 Open Studio Weekend Tokomata Studio, Christchurch 2001 Exposure Former Council Chambers, Christchurch 2000 Portrait Competition NZ Portrait Gallery, Wellington Kororareka Marae Show Russell Town Hall, Russell 1999 Nilhism Space Gallery, Christchurch Gateways & Journeys Centre Of Contemporary Art, Christchurch Passage To Power Space Gallery, Christchurch Costume & Clothing Centre Of Contemporary Art, Christchurch 1999 - 2000 C.O.C.A Award Show Centre Of Contemporary Art, Christchurch Dreams Centre Of Contemporary Art, Christchurch 1997 - 2002 More or Less Centre Of Contemporary Art, Christchurch 1997 - 2002 Erotica Space Gallery, Christchurch Interiors Centre Of Contemporary Art, Christchurch A Short Cut Through The Edge Bay of Islands Arts Festival Quality Resort, Waitangi -www.ruapick.vc.net.nz -www.whispersofwaitaha.co.nz -www.songofwaitaha.co.nz