Maryanne

Maryanne (Ngapuhi and Te Aupouri) spent years learning to walk and talk again after having a stroke at the age of 9 and due to a brain tumour, she has limited sight in both eyes. A longing for art and independence from a young age led Maryanne to classes at Art For All in 2022 where she took to creative self expression like a duck to water and found a renewed confidence in self.

It soon became clear Maryanne’s deep love of her Maori culture and a desire to explore her own identity through creating artwork based on traditional Maori designs whilst incorporating her love of native flora. The rhythms and bright colours are something she has developed from her earlier Miro painting style and applied to her own traditional and contemporary Maori designs using acrylic paint on canvas paper. She loves bright colours, which reflect the joy she feels and gives out when sharing her art with others. She is always awed and amazed at what she can create given a few simple materials and lots of enthusiasm.

Maryanne started art class with high expectations, both from herself and her whanau, as they knew she would excel given the right support and opportunities. She finds joy in helping other artists and continually shines her light on those around her.