Phil Mokaraka Berry
Gisborne

Ko Whakatere te Maunga
Ko Waima te Awa
Ko Maamari te Waka
Ko Te Mahurehure te Hapu
Ko Nga Puhi te Iwi
Ko Tuhirangi te Marae

Phil is a visual artist who works with paint, expressing his creativity through his exploration of kowhaiwhai. A former student of Toihoukura, his skill with this form has seen him selected to lead the kowhaiwhai restoration of Te Rongopai Marae. Phil has also been awarded the Toi Iho mark of excellence from Te Waka Toi Creative New Zealand, for his painting and kowhaiwhai.

In 2001 Phil completed his Post Graduate Diploma in secondary teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education. He now tutors a range of creative skills to others in his position as a Visual Multimedia Arts Educator at Matapuna Training Centre in Gisborne.

"My works incorporate the Kowhaiwhai, based from traditional Marae studies, however they are always evolving, from the basic Koru, to the more complex figurative works found at Te Rongopai Marae. My portrait works are all Maori and mostly commissioned works, some are family portraits, and some are our Tipuna. My painting styles vary, although I usually paint in layers adding textures and then building up the colour and tone. I then finish with linear work and washes as required."

To contact Phil for commission work you can email him at: philberrymaoriartist@gmail.com