Artist Profile: June Northcroft Grant

June Northcroft Grant
Te Arawa, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahia

June grew up and was educated in the three New Zealand towns of Wairoa, Wanganui and Rotorua. She is a direct descendant of Makareti Papakura, a well known guide of Whakarewarewa Village where thousands of tourists, in days gone by, were escorted through the wondrous scenic attraction of the area. Makareti has been a strong influence on June’s life and work.

In 1989 June graduated from Waiariki Polytechnic with a Diploma in Craft Design Maori. This four year course provided her with a good working knowledge of several art disciplines, printmaking, painting, weaving, bone carving, carving and ceramics. In her final two years, June majored in paint and fibre, culminating in a series of work based on the wharenui (meeting house) in her tribal village, Whakarewarewa.

June is also a member of the Maori Businesswomen’s Network and has been involved in The Best of Maori Tourism whose motives and aims are to promote Maori business.

Probably the biggest factor in my decision to continue painting and making artworks is my sense of responsibility to my tribe, both to my ancestors and their art providing much of my inspiration, and to the future generations, my children and grandchildren for whom I continue the art tradition.