A veteran Maori sculptor whose worked spanned half a century both in New Zealand and overseas, has died.
Arnold Manaaki Wilson of Ngai Tuhoe and Te Arawa, died this week at the age of 84.
Graduating from Auckland's Elam School of Fine Arts in 1955 he was the first Maori to gain a Diploma in Fine Arts, with first class honours in sculpture.
After going to Teachers' Training College he had a successful and long career in art education, leading a cultural revival of Maori art in schools and in the community.
Along with other contemporary artists such as Ralph Hotere, Marilyn Webb and Sandy Adsett, he questioned the orthodoxy and practices of both Maori and Pakeha art traditions.
Drawing on his Maori and Scottish heritage he wasn't afraid to experiment using both traditional and non-traditional materials.
Mr Wilson received a Nga Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka/Sir Kingi Ihaka Award from Te Waka Toi in 2001 for new directions in contemporary Maori art, among other significant awards.
And more recently he was he made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for his services to Maori and the arts.
