Peace on earth | Michael Angel O

A carver and painter of wooden murals and pictures, most of my inspiration comes from the spiritual aspects of Nature. I express this by combining the disciplines of drawing, carving, and painting.

I don’t plan my artworks – they just flow from my life experiences. Carving is part of my Māori heritage (my mother’s father from Ngāti Kahungunu / Te Arawa was a Māori of full blood – a gifted healer – and I too am a healer). 20 years ago, I trained in traditional Māori wood carving with Tony Kapua at Ohinemutu in Rotorua – he said it was natural for me and I shouldn’t put down my tools. I then moved on to work with Te Maru Marsh and Te Poho-otangiianui Marae in Napier, followed by 6 months at Mihiroa Marae in Pakipaki, Hawkes Bay. I was fascinated by the significance of different tribal patterns.

I have also completed my Diploma in Art and Creativity with Honours at the Learning Connection in Wellington.

I now carve in my own unique style, inspired from within. I spent much of my childhood playing among trees, and for many years I was a gardener, so tress, birds, bees, and flowers inspire my work. I have carved and painted my own free-standing forest with its own fauna. As a person I express my art and inspiration in my daily life.