Rua Pick - Artist

Rua Pick was born on Moturua Island in 1968. Rua was named by Rongo and Te Aue Hakaraia, very close family friends. He grew up with an artistic family in the Bay of Islands. His Father a potter, his Mother and Sister both painters, the family was always surrounded by art and artists. During 1983 & 1984, Rua was inspired by the tutorage of Selwyn Wilson who taught him kowhaiwhai and encouraged him to pursue his creative style, empowering and enabling him to follow his artistic path.

Ruas early influences were Goya and Dali. After leaving school Rua studied oil painting techniques from books focusing on 17th Century Dutch Painters. He traveled to Europe in 1988. The Prado and Dali Theatre Museums were pivotal experiences on his creative journey. On returning to New Zealand with his mind completely saturated with art, Rua moved to Raglan and developed his style in the genres of Social Surrealism, Mysticism, and Symbolism. 

In 1992, Rua completed a year at the Canterbury School of Fine Arts. He fell in love with the South Island, its deep mystery permeating the land and its people. Rua work has followed a personal inner journey on the river of the mind. This has dealt with the process of separation, vulnerability, empowerment, and integration. From 1995 -2011 Rua set up a Studio / Gallery called Toko Mata (The Visionary Post) in central Christchurch, this was very creative, innovative & prolific period in his art making. From 2000 to the present Rua developed shaped wooden formats artworks, inspired by the natural world to paint on, with layered mixed media under painting, many were reproduced in the book Whispers of Waitaha in 2006. From his new studio Puawananga (Flower of Knowledge) , 2011- to the present Rua has taken up Whakairo ~wood carving, mostly creating Taonga Puoro (traditional sound instruments) along side his usual painting activities. He also been exploring other mediums such ceramics. Throughout Rua life Maori symbology has asserted itself strongly in his work. Polynesian influences surrounded Rua throughout his life and he has a strong affinity with the Land and the Sea. Rua Paintings reflect the stories/narratives of the experiences of Rangi, Papatuanuku and their children over the ages.

Concrete images narrate Rua views and comments to a broad audience. Through his art he honours the timelessness of Ancient histories and mythologies of this land and its peoples. Rua is committed to discussing the world with others through his art. In this process he swings from the dark/Po to the light/Ma, taking inspiration from both worlds.