Lewis Gardiner
Lewis Gardiner
Lewis Gardiner (Te Arawa, Ngati Awa, Whanau a Apanuim Ngai Tahu) was born and raised in Mataura, in Southland province in the South Island, then returned in 1989 to the family land in Rotoiti near Rotorua. He attended Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, graduated in Māori Craft and Design and studied with Ross Hemera, Christina Wirihana and Lyonel Grant. It was during his final year, 1994, that he was first introduced to the valuable taonga (treasure) pounamu (jade). Maori have always valued pounamu for both its hardness and for its translucent beauty. Gardiner believes "Our tupuna (ancestors) have given us, the Māori people, the resource and knowledge base to provide a reference for us and our children for years to come."
In 1995, Gardiner became a full-time jade and bone carver, specialising in traditional Māori imagery, and he is quickly becoming recognised as one of the most innovative Māori jade carvers for his unique style, design and composition, using many colours of jade. Winning the Mana Pounamu Awards for contemporary Maori jade design in 1999, 2001 and 2003 further enhanced his reputation.
In 2003, Gardiner travelled to China to visit a master Jade carver to source tools and study techniques to carve on a larger scale. This knowledge has influenced and enabled his ability to work on both massive sculptural forms as well as small, delicate work. His unique sense of design and use of inlay, coupled with is ability to envision large-scale works, often using several varieties of jade, has set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
