Artist Profile
Originally from Tairāwhiti (Gisborne), Clarence Collier brings a deep passion for creativity to his craft. Currently based in Petone, Wellington, he has been immersed in the arts for over twenty-eight years, with the past eight dedicated to pounamu carving. Clarence's journey into carving was sparked by a love for communicating through the arts, and inspiration flows from many sources, from the dynamic movements of cubism explored by Pablo Picasso to the semi-abstract works of sculptor Henry Moore. Although a primarily self-taught artist, Clarence has expanded his skills through additional studies in visual arts and pounamu carving, refining a unique and personal style. Clarence is from Ngāti Porou and Te Ai Tanga a Māhaki.