Regan Balzer

 

 

 

Regan Balzer is a Ringatoi Māori with extensive experience exhibiting throughout Aotearoa and overseas. In 2011, Regan completed a Master’s in Māori Visual Arts at the renowned school of art Te Pūtahi-ā-Toi, Massey University, Palmerston North, graduating with honours.

Regan draws inspiration from her homeland, Rotorua, a thermal wonderland; steam, water, earth, and the vivid contrasting colours caused by natural minerals form her distinctive palette of colours.

The hues of her homeland are reflected in the recurring cultural iconography throughout her works, and customary imagery from her homeland is juxtaposed with contemporary contexts. 

She has a particular interest in the forms derived from customary Māori arts practices, such as Māori woodcarving and weaving, Regan incorporates these elements of her heritage into her work to develop visual narratives, which are often in response to past or current issues that affect her and her people at a local level, parallels of which can also be seen to be happening throughout the world.