Art by the sea gallery, nz contemporary art gallery, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand|

 
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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

joe kemp nz maori carver and sculptor

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......"

Joe Kemp nz maori wood carving, large kauri sculpture, te wa kokiri
 
Joe Kemp nz maoria wood carving, manaia, totara
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
Joe Kemp nz Maori carvings, Kauri, Papatuanuku

Papatuanuku Kauri Size: 240cm tall ENQUIRE NOW

New 2024 Tanerau (strength of 100 warriors) Totara Size: 174cm tall inclding steel stand Price: $TBA ENQUIRE NOW
Joe Kemp carved maori masks, totara
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
Joe Kemp nz Maori wood carvings, Mahara, Swamp Kauri
NEW 2022 Mahara Swamp Kauri wall mask Size: 77cm tall Price: $POA ENQUIRE NOW SOLD

joe Kemp Maori carvings, Hinewaroa
 
Joe Kemp nz Maori sculptor, Manaia with Armour, Macrocarpa
 
Joe Kemp carved masks. teatawhai
New 2020 Hinewaroa wall mask
Swamp Totara Size: 100cm tall x 31cm wide
ENQUIRE NOW
 
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

Joe Kemp nz master carver and sculptor, tane  
Joe Kemp Maori wood carvings, rakau, swamp totara
 
Joe Kemp nz maori sculptor, wood, totara

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

Joe Kemp nz Maori carving, wall mask   joe kemp maori sculptor and wood carver   Joe Kemp Mori wood sculptor, te Ahi, pohutukawa  
joe kemp nz maori wood sculptures
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

Joe Kemp nz maori wood carving, pono sculpture
joe Kemp nz maori sculptor, carved swamp totara masks
Joe Kemp nz maori sculptor, wood carving
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

joe kemp contemporary nz maori sculptor, wood carving joe kemp maori wood and hard stone carver
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
Joe Kemp traditional maori carvngs and sculpture, New Zealand art
Joe Kemp nz wood sculptor and maori carvings
Noa Swamp Totara, Whale Bone, Macrocarpa Base $13,000.00 ENQUIRE NOW Sold
Manaia Kauri (220cm tall) $15,500 ENQUIRE NOW Sold

Joe Kemp NZ Maori carver and sculptor, swamp wood, figures
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

 
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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