Rau Kura

      Steve Gibbs is based in Te Tairāwhiti. He is both a researcher, artist, and educator, committed to the ongoing development of Māori Visual Arts alongside prolific artists Bob Jahnke, Tā Derek Lardelli, Sandy Adsett, late Cliff Whiting, late Fred Graham and others. Since 1994, his dedication to Toi Māori has landed him as the Principal Tutor (Co founder with Tā Derek Lardelli and Sandy Adsett) at Toihoukura - Māori Visual Arts at Tairāwhiti Polytechnic in Gisborne. Over the years, Steve has exhibited his substantial body of unique paintings, carvings, and sculptures in many group and solo exhibitions throughout New Zealand, as well as having his work show-cased overseas in Brussels, London, Belfast, Cardiff, Hawaii, Apia, Sydney and Brisbane. Steve is a kōwhaiwhai expert with a distinctive Tairāwhiti style, such as the Pītau Manaia. Throughout the years, he has helped to restore kōwhaiwhai on several marae. He continues to transfer his knowledge through educational institutions and marae-based wānanga and workshops: “Art is a potent vehicle through which we have access to our Tīpuna (ancestors). Ours is the responsibility to maintain, to challenge and to create pathways.”