Over the past year, Mr G has also been ing the art of whakairo (Māori carving) from master carver Todd Couper. Mr G will feature this new skill throughout the exhibition, along with his more traditional photorealist ‘G’ series portraits, with art-directed video content and a surprise piece that will be unveiled at the exhibition opening. In ing whakairo, Hoete has been able to adapt his painting with the knowledge of carving techniques to render simulations that might otherwise be near impossible to carve at such large scale. For the first time, he will be creating simulated whakairo, working on a scale that if actually carved might take decades to produce, including a life-size replica of his marae. The simulated photo-realist style might recall Goldie or Lindauer, but Hoete has reclaimed these art historical precedents with street art and contemporary references to define his own unique language of painting, brought to fruition in his major tribute to ‘Home.’

Principal Exhibition Partner: Tauranga City Council