ABOUT THE ARTIST: Thomas Hansen, Artist and Carver. Art has been a constant theme throughout Thomas's life. He completed his first carving at about 8 years of age with some chisels given to him by my grandmother. At the age of 15 years he won an award for the best painting in an Auckland art competition, based on Auckland's history. After some time in the Navy, he worked for several years in Television production in the Scenic Art and set finishing division

At this time he received his first formal training in the art of Maori carving under the guidance of Dennis Conway, head carver and tutor at the Orakei Marae, Auckland. His first carving completed in training is now a skirting panel at the Marae.

Eventually, Thomas moved to the South Island town of Nelson where he set up shop making ivory and bone carvings and sculptures. In 1982, after an exhibition of his work, he received a Queen Elizabeth Arts Council Award to learn the art of the silversmith from Jens Hansen, well-known local silver artist. This enabled Thomas to add this new dimension to his carvings and jewellery.

In 1984 Thomas sailed overseas to Fiji and studied the skills of carving with an adze, from indigenous carvers. He also learnt yet another form of carving, that of scrimshaw (fine and intricate etching onto ivory, shell or bone).

From Fiji Thomas sailed to Australia and worked in scrimshaw for over a year, producing artwork mainly depicting scenes from the early days of sailing ships and African scenes of wild animals.

Always seeking new ideas and skills, Thomas travelled on to China where he learnt to use tools for various carving techniques on ivory and wood, as well as some fascinating painting styles from local artists.

In 1988 Thomas returned to New Zealand and settled by the Huria Marae in Tauranga, a small city by the sea. He once again took up Maori carving, studying under various carvers and researching different styles. Of recent Thomas have partaken in some restoration work on Huria Marae and been part of carving two other Meeting-houses in the Tauranga region. Also he is receiving more advanced tutoring from Master Carver James Tapiata. BA Maori Carving

Thomas has held several exhibitions of his work over the years, more recently he has exhibited as part of a group called Te Whare Puwerewere, in Whakatane at the.. Gallery and at Tepapa Museum Store in Wellington. Thomas is now creating both traditional and contemporary carvings for several Museums and galleries throughout New Zealand. As well as this Thomas has started painting again, drawing inspiration from Whakairo, nature and his meditations.

Thomas Hansen Artist and carver.

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