Joe Kemp Maori carver and wood sculptor, kauri, swamp totara, wall masks

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The Promenade, 162 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand
Ph: +64 9 4456665 Cell: +64 021 577078 Email: art@artbythesea.co.nz

Joe Kemp (Ngai Tahu, Ngapuhi and Te Arawa (Ngati Makino)
New Zealand Contemporary Maori sculptor and carver


Kia Ora Tatou My name is Joe, married to Sherie and we have three sons. We have lived in Lake Rotoma in the Bay of Plenty for the last fifteen years. I was born in Christchurch but we moved up to the Bay of Plenty when I was two, and have been here ever since. My tribal connections are Ngai Tahu, Ngapuhi and Te Arawa (Ngati Makino). I have been into art since I can remember only finding my sculpting ability 20 years ago. I am self-taught and find it a great privelage to be able to create with these mediums and art forms. I enjoy carving human form, especially females. I feel doing human form connects me with my ancestral history which brings a whole new meaning and purpose to the finished art work. I use wood as my main medium and enjoy the secrets and surprises that our native timbers have with them. I sense a connection with Tane Mahuta (the life force of the tree) as I'm working with the wood, so it is quite a special feeling. I also carve a variety of stone, where again there is a connection with Papatuanuku (Earth Mother). I look to bring out the Wairua (essence) in each piece, starting from where the material originated and using any special features and grains in the stone and wood. Thanks for taking the time to stop and look at my work. Joe Congratulations to Joe on winning first prize at the 2012 Lake House Wood Sculpture Symposium. Joe has done it again Lake House Wood Sculpture Live 2013 with a stunning piece entitled "My Kaitiaki" Click here to see Joe's exhibition November 2016 Click here to see Joe's latest exhibition April 2019 Click here to see Joe's exhibition November 2021

Kia Ora Tatou

My name is Joe, married to Sherie and we have three sons. We have lived in Lake Rotoma in the Bay of Plenty for the last fifteen years. I was born in Christchurch but we moved up to the Bay of Plenty when I was two, and have been here ever since. My tribal connections are Ngai Tahu, Ngapuhi and Te Arawa (Ngati Makino). I have been into art since I can remember only finding my sculpting ability 20 years ago.
I am self-taught and find it a great privelage to be able to create with these mediums and art forms. I enjoy carving human form, especially females. I feel doing human form connects me with my ancestral history which brings a whole new meaning and purpose to the finished art work. I use wood as my main medium and enjoy the secrets and surprises that our native timbers have with them. I sense a connection with Tane Mahuta (the life force of the tree) as I'm working with the wood, so it is quite a special feeling. I also carve a variety of stone, where again there is a connection with Papatuanuku (Earth Mother). I look to bring out the Wairua (essence) in each piece, starting from where the material originated and using any special features and grains in the stone and wood. Thanks for taking the time to stop and look at my work. Joe

Congratulations to Joe on winning first prize at the 2012 Lake House Wood Sculpture Symposium.
Joe has done it again Lake House Wood Sculpture Live 2013 with a stunning piece entitled "My Kaitiaki"

Click here to see Joe's exhibition November 2016

Click here to see Joe's latest exhibition April 2019

Click here to see Joe's exhibition November 2021

Te Haa Mauri ("A fresh breath") "With over 20 years experience as a sculptor my work has evolved to the style and form it is today. I have a deeper understanding and respect for my work and the mediums l use which helps me connect to the wairua within. My work depicts new beginnings in a new world, with presence of Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship) Amorangi ( Leadership ) Mana ( prestige self worth ) kaha (strength ) hope and purpose. My Process 1st Karakia , Acknowlegment. Every time time I start carving an old bit of wood I am always reminded of the tree it once was, and how it lived for centuries before it became the piece of wood l'm carving. As l start carving more into the piece I get a sense l am being directed with my chisels from the grains and natural flows of the wood. As the pieces evolve into form, I feel like they are old ancient relicts from another time and l get to take the layer of over growth from them to reveal an old life force that once lived in Te Waonui O Tanemahuta ( our ancient forest ) a time forgotten......"

Te Wa Kokiri Size: 225cm tall x 100cm wide x 45cm deep Swamp Kauri Head (turns) on Japanese Cedar Base Enquire Now		Manaia 2023 Size: 260cm tall Swamp Totara, Rope works, Stone Base Enquire Now SOLD

Papatuanuku Kauri Size: 240cm tall Price: $48,000 ENQUIRE NOW SOLD

New 2024 Tane's Love Swamp Totara Size: 167cm tall Price: $17,500 ENQUIRE NOW

New 2024 Hine Rau Lusitanica wood Size: 216cm tall x 35cm wide Price: $30,000 ENQUIRE NOW		New 2024 Tohora Swamp Totara, Macrocarpa Base Size: 194cm tall x 94cm wide Price: $12,000 ENQUIRE NOW

New 2024 Tanerau (strength of 100 warriors) Totara Size: 174cm tall inclding steel stand Price: $TBA ENQUIRE NOW SOLD		2022 Mahara Swamp Kauri wall mask Size: 77cm tall Price: $8000 ENQUIRE NOW SOLD

New 2024 Pohutu Swamp Kauri, Whalebone Size: 53cm tall x 30cm wide Price: $4500		New 2024 Tukawa Pohutukawa, Whalebone Size: 68cm tall x 30cm wide Price: $5500

New 2024 Kahu Swamp Kauri, Whalebone Size: 68cm tall x 30cm wide Price: $5200

Te Ao Tapu Totara Size: 66cm tall x 33cm wide Price: $6000 SOLD
Te Ao Noa Totara Size: 60cm tall x 34cm wide Price: $6000 SOLD ENQUIRE NOW


New 2020 Hinewaroa wall mask Swamp Totara Size: 100cm tall x 31cm wide ENQUIRE NOW Sold		Manaia with Armour sculpture Macrocarpa, Taranaki Andesite Base Size: 215cm tall Price: $50,000 ENQUIRE NOW Sold		New 2021 Te Atawhai (Compassion) wall mask Swamp Totara Size: 97cm tall x 30cm wide Price: $6000 ENQUIRE NOW Sold


Nga moko o Tane Size: 73cm tall River Totara (Manawatu) ENQUIRE NOW Sold		New 2022 Rakau wall mask Size: 87cm tall Swamp Totara price: $6500 ENQUIRE NOW		Tangata Whetu Size: 194cm x 170cm tall Swamp Totara, Swamp Hinau ENQUIRE NOW Sold


2021 Kahu Size: 98cm tall Swamp Totara ENQUIRE NOW		Lady in Black Size: 73cm tall Swamp Totara $9000 Sold		New 2021 Te Ahi wall mask Size: 90cm tall Pohutukawa ENQUIRE NOW Sold		Timata Size: 184cm tall Swamp Totara, Steel Stand Sold


Pono (Truth) Size: 210cm tall x 50cm wide Swamp Totara Price: $18,000.00 ENQUIRE NOW Sold	New 2020 Tuwhakaoho mask Size: 98cm tall x 46cm wide Price: $8000 Swamp Totara ENQUIRE NOW	Hine Kauri Size: 230cm tall x 58cm wide (with stand) Kauri (Northland) Price: $18,500.00 ENQUIRE NOW Sold


E Tu Swamp Totara Size: 2.01m tall $8500 ENQUIRE NOW Sold	Te Whaiao Totara, Oamaru Stone, Piecock Totara Stand Size: 195cm tall ENQUIRE NOW Sold

Noa Swamp Totara, Whale Bone, Macrocarpa Base $13,000.00 ENQUIRE NOW Sold	Manaia Kauri (220cm tall) $15,500 ENQUIRE NOW Sold


Hine ti tama Size: 154cm tall x 80cm wide Swamp Totara $27,000 ENQUIRE NOW Sold

Click here to see Joe's latest exhibition November 2016

HOME ||| EXHIBITIONS||| ARTISTS ||| ABOUT |||CONTACT

The Promenade, 162 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand
Ph: +64 9 4456665 Cell: +64 021 577078 Email: art@artbythesea.co.nz