Toi Ora Artists

Spotlight:

Lauren Bryant

If you are looking for a boost of warmth and positivity, connect with Lauren Bryant at the Toi Ora studio.  She joined Toi Ora as an artist in 2022 in the Paint the Sky and printmaking classes.

During the Summer holiday, Toi Ora sends art packs for wellbeing to our artists to help bridge the time between Christmas and the start of Term 1. Lauren diligently completed not only the weekly art pack challenge for the three weeks, but completed all the creative options offered for each week.

In her time so far at Toi Ora, Lauren has developed a niche in sketching and printmaking images of different animals. She does gorgeous paintings as well.

You may have seen her series of animals on display in our most recent Printmaking Exhibition at the Toi Ora gallery.  In fact, when one of her pieces sold in the Printmaking Exhibition, Lauren donated the proceeds of the sale to sponsor an art pack for wellbeing for cyclone victims in Piha and Karekare. Keep an eye out for more of her works.

Spotlight:

Lance Setephano

Ten year’s ago, Lance Setephano joined Toi Ora to work on sculptures during open studio. After some years away, to our delight, Lance has recently rejoined the programme. You may recognise his incredible work above entitled “Ta Moko” (material: Clay) from the Mental Health Awareness Exhibition.

Here’s a little bit of Lance’s story in his own words. “My name is Lance I was born in Invercargill. My father is of Irish and Scottish descent, and my mother is of Cook Island decent, when I was born I was adopted into another family.

I like coming to Toi Ora because it allows me to focus solely on my art, in an involvement that is supportive, I can be creative and the staffs are great.

This particular artwork was the first piece I’d done in 3 years. Toi Ora was good in helping with supplies so there was really no limit to what I wanted to create because the piece was so big in scale.

I knew I had to come in every day if I wanted to see the end result, which did for one whole term approximately 9 weeks. I think I missed one day. But I basically eat, slept, and breathed the work. I think it was for me a great personal achievement.

I’ve used clay before, so it is quite familiar to me. I started art when I was about 10 years old when I drew a picture of the 4 square man, I’ve painted and done bone carvings and sculptures for about the last 30 years or so being creative helps me to stay grounded. It is something I love, it gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.”

We hope that Lance’s journey inspires you to keep at it and commit to your artistic endeavours. Keep an eye out for more stunning works to come from this skilled sculptor.

Spotlight:
Kay Shibuya

Ko Fuji te Maunga,
Ko Enoshima te Moana
Ko Kay Shibuya toku ingoa.

Kay is one of our valued artists who has a particular talent for Printmaking and Painting. Despite having no prior artistic background, after having major surgery and being house bound Kay found solace and was able to tap into her creative potential and use art as a means of coping, healing, and self-discovery.

Kay has now been at Toi Ora for 8 years and has explored Printmaking and Painting extensively whilst she has been here. Immersing herself in Te Ao Maori by learning and practicing Rongoa Maori (Traditional Māori Medicine) has served as the main inspiration for her work.

Each Mandala is made up of rākau (trees) that have healing properties, kawakawa, kowhai, mamaku. Without realising Kay painted in a Reiki sign in the foundation of the painting below, the connection between Japanese and Māori culture resonates deeply in her work. Learning the Maramataka (Moon phases) strengthened her connection to her roots and the circular format that is reinforced by Kay speaks to the Sun on the Japanese flag and the Moon of the Maramataka both constants Universally.

“For me my work is all about Nature, my work is connected to spirituality. Total Balance of the Mind, body and spirit. That is my message.”