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Profiles New Zealand Artists Chanz Mikaere
Profiles New Zealand Artists Chanz Mikaere
| Chanz Mikaere - Rotorua |
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Multi-disciplined Artist For those who are interested in Kapahaka, the most recognised piece of Chanz's work to date is the stage backdrop of the Te Matatini National Kapahaka Competition 2009. She is also a poet and writes political commentaries to complement the Art making. At present her creative energy is focused on her four month old daughter, Pia. Chanz hopes to get back into full time Art production soon! To view a selection of Chanz's work click here A few questions I asked Chanz... What factors in your life do you believe played a significant part in you becoming an artist? My parents are both very creative- a carver and a weaver...you could say it is in the blood and no surprise! Art is also broad enough to satisfy the way my mind works, I source ideas from so many places that Art seemed to fit...I can express my ideals, ask questions, state opinions and stand on my soapbox! Where do you seek inspiration for your art, what inspires you? My whakapapa, my whanau and hapu and of course, creating a better world for my daughter Pia. I am a bit of a political animal. Injustice plays a huge part in fuelling the ideas, resistance and protest, irony and satire play a huge role in my Art and the accompanying writings. What is your favourite colour and why? No surprise here...I love red! It is so alive, passionate and provocative, the use of red provokes reaction and stimulates appetite...Red is SEXY! What are the most interesting things you have done or that have happened to you that have contributed to your art career? Politics and Art for me go hand in hand: I cannot separate them. There are no specific moments that have contributed, more the deeds of others and my reaction to that. I am inspired by the likes of Annette Sykes, Hone Harawira and Co. These people are my comrades. There is a distinct need for me to have the visual happening alongside the verbal/written ideas. Things like the Foreshore and Seabed March of 2004 and the Waitangi Tribunal decisions, policies and injustice to indigenous peoples provide tremendous inspiration. Where ever there is struggle or injustice...my nose is in there watching, thinking, learning, absorbing and commenting. I have the fortune of having friends and mentors who are all activists and rebels in their own right...they are always willing to pass on advice and information to add to the eventual finished products. What do you love about being an artist? Being an Artist gives me the creative license to say and do whatever I like...it's all about freedom...learning the rules/parameters of convention to either embrace or reject them. I like the position of living on the periphery of a situation and crossing social/political/economic borders. I am able to exercise restraint too, but only when I want to! What professional and personal obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today? Well, I rejected the notion of Law School to be an Artist...how's that? In what ways are you making a difference in people's lives? Providing the visual stimulus to get people THINKING! Whether you love or hate my work is irrelevant, as long as it provokes a reaction. If you were not an artist, what would you be? A Lawyer! What do people say about your work? That it is graphic, intense, scary and disturbing! Sometimes they say...funny, clever, sharp and difficult to dodge! It was once described by a lawyer friend of mine as a "Bitch slap: painfully arousing!" What styles of art do you like, and why? I love the polemic. I am not into the pretty stuff for the sake of it! However, if the work is beautifully made and seduces you, then slaps you once you realise what it is about?...then I love it, regardless of the medium. What would you like to see change in the Art Industry? The Old Boys Club and "gatekeeping" that exists in Maori Art (this is perpetuated by a certain amount of cultural conditioning...AGEIST and SEXIST!). The protection of Maori Intellectual Property and people really thinking before making something! The amount of SHIT out there is unbelievable! Do you buy other artists work? If so who? In a dream world, I would own originals by Frida Kahlo, Diego Riviera, Shane Cotton, Ngahina Hohaia, Robert Jahnke, Michael Parekowhai and Brett Graham, Karl Leonard, Richard Kereopa and oooh, would love a Saffron Te Ratana too! Why do you think people should buy your work? Well, my work is technically sound and well executed...there is considerable effort put into the composition and symbolism. Political Art is vital to capturing the context of any given time and asking questions. Be warned...my work is not for the fainthearted! Chanz Mikaere "General All-Round Tutu"
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