Kereama Taepa (Te Arawa, Te Āti Awa) — Artist bio

Kereama Taepa’s practice ultimately considers the idea that innovation is tradition. His exploration into materials and processes has provided him with a vast array of creation methods — of which he delves in and out of frequently.

Kereama Taepa is a contemporary Māori creative who manifests works based on customary Māori artforms, with a technological twist. Born in 1979 he lives in Pāpāmoa, Bay of Plenty.

Taepa's works are informed by customary Māori visual language and conventions. Whakairo, kowhaiwhai and tūrapa (tukutuku) appear frequently within his work, and are accompanied by pop iconography from the 80s/90s such as Pac Man and Space Invaders — referencing his upbringing within the urban environment.

His practice explores te Ao Matihiko (the digital world) and its impact on Māori culture, and how Māori employ digital technologies to further serve the generations of the now and the future. His broad approach employs emergent technologies such as projection, 3D printing, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality to explore narratives of the past and the present.