Artist Profile: Phil Mokaraka Berry

Nga Puhi

Painter

Ko Whakatere te maunga
Ko waima te awa
Ko Maamari te waka
Ko Te Mahurehure te hapu
Ko Nga Puhi te iwi
Ko Tuhirangi te marae

Phil is currently a Visual Multimedia Arts educator at Matapuna Training Centre, Gisborne. His work incorporates the Kowhaiwhai (painted scroll ornamentation - commonly used on meeting house rafters) based from traditional marae studies.

Phil was the leader in the Kowhaiwhai restoration of Te Rongopai Marae. Rongopai is a highly significant wharenui from its association with Te Kooti and Te Whanau a Kai history. The majority of his work consists of Maori myths and traditions based on well known stories and beliefs.He has produced a large series on Maui and his exploits and his final demise. Other works involve the connection between Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) and Maori and the sacredness of our whenua (land).

He has also produced works on Kaitiaki (guardian), trying to capture the Mauri (life principle) and the guardianship role of them and the relationship to their and our environments. His works are always evolving, sometimes simplifying, and sometimes complex, he uses the kowhaiwhai as a symbol of being and celebrating being Maori and also linking back towards our Whakapapa.