Todd Sheridan
Gisborne

Todds early family life instilled in him memories of a father as an extremely talented artist. Nothing was safe from the proliferation of caricatures on newspapers, magazines or anything else that could be drawn upon. A major piece Todd remembers as a child, was a mural in the hallway of his family home depicting a scene of Captain Cooks landing in Turanga/Gisborne. He recollects that it was beautifully painted. It turns out that the piece was commissioned for the Captain Cook Restaurant, New Plymouth. Though despite art being his passion, Todd's father worked a day job managing a factory, indulging his love of painting in his limited after-hours time.

In a way Todd repeated that pattern, teaching for many years while he raised a family. But always there existed a passion for his art. He has only recently made a commitment to producing art as a livelihood, having for 25 years made art only as gifts for family and friends.

Whilst Todd describes being an artist as almost self-centred, it is a career choice that has required him to make some pretty significant mental shifts after many years in paid employment. Most notably is income which suddenly 'disappears' after taking the plunge into creative self-employment.

Todd is inspired by the stories recalled as a child. Fusing Maori imagery into his works, relating his early upbringing next to the sea, rivers and mountain - all of these provide him with wonderful memories from which to explore.

Todd's earlier art practice centred around printmaking, silk painting and etching. He has recently explored zinc and solar plates, but it was his familiarity with using plastic in the etching process that led him on to his latest work. Todd has been commissioned by a Maori run organisation to complete a very large scale etching into perspex. Todd's working process with this commission is as much about reflecting the stories of his client as it is exploring Maori imagery.

Todd can be contacted directly for commissions,
or visit http://www.framework.co.nz/framework/?sub=toddsheridan