Te Rongo Kirkwood

Te Rongo Kirkwood is primarily of Tainui descent and feels a strong connection to her cultural roots, particularly since returning from 12 years in the UKand Europe. Her designs are influenced by her Māori and New Zealand heritage combined with inspiration drawn from a sense of connection to the land and sea. Since 2005, Kirkwoodhas turned her interest in design and colour from painting to kiln formed glass.

She is an award winning glass artist whose work reflects her love of pattern and form. Her work is mostly kiln-formed fused, slumped or cast glass using a combination of opal and transparent glasses.

"My first introduction to glass was about in London where I met Danny Lane, a celebrated international glass sculptor. His work had a truly profound impact on me - I knew right then that at some point I would work with glass.

Growing up in an artistic and creative family, I have always had a great appreciation and passion for colour and design. For me as an artist nothing quite surpasses the thrill I get from working with glass. I knew from the first moment I worked with glass I had found my creative purpose.

I am a full-time artist. Being essentially self-taught, I endeavour through my work to express my love of pattern and form primarily through the use of negative spaces and the combining of opalescent and transparent glasses.  It is my desire to create work that aside from the innate beauty of glass also reflects a sense of my emotion and spirit ... my journey."