Jonathan (Jono) More born in 1983, grew up in a rural area of South Canterbury where old cabbage trees and stunning limestone formations dot the landscape. The area is known for its numerous Maori rock drawings. One of these, the taniwha (dragon), is now the emblem of Pleasant Point High School, where Jono attended until seventh form.

In 2001, Jono won Environment Canterbury’s “future environmentalist” of the year award and conservation still remains as one of his main passions. While still attending school, Jono was involved in research of the long tailed bat which are on the brink of extinction in the Hanging Rock area. This often involved counting and capturing the bats as they venture from the cavities of old cabbage trees. From these experiences, cabbage trees are well engrained in Jono’s mind and are the most popular subject in his art work.

Currently, Jono is studying ecology at University of Otago. The art (mainly wood cutting) is done in his spare time. Jono prints with woodblock using oil-based ink on shishu paper.

“It is very rewarding to be able to integrate ecology with art and hopefully be promoting conservation at the same time.”