“ Tuffery’s journey is an open and expansive one, its wonder and revelations shared generously, as a gift, in his art. It illuminates the sea around him, showing us aspects of our world, our society and our lives that would otherwise remain unseen. ”
Tim Walker, Director, TheNewDowse, New Zealand
Welcome to micheltuffery.co.nz
Michel Tuffery M.N.Z.M is an acclaimed printmaker, painter and sculptor, who is constantly exploring, collaborating and innovating. Always open to new ways of seeing, he crosses artform boundaries to create performance, sound and installation art.
In 2008 Michel was honoured with becoming a Member of the New Zealand Merit of Order in the Queens Honours List for services to the Arts and is the youngest recipient for the Arts to be acknowledged.
A New Zealand based artist of Samoan, Rarotongan and Tahitian heritage, Tuffery likens the role of the artist to that of a journalist – asking questions, investigating and telling stories from fresh perspectives. For Tuffery, art is his first language. It’s the way he communicates his ideas on the world around him; his cultural heritage and the diverse cultural fabric that makes up New Zealand; and the changing nature of life in the Pacific region.
Tuffery’s art features in major Public and Private collections throughout the world. He has received several National and International arts residencies, public commissions, awards and has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions including;
- Samoa Contemporary (2008 – 2009) Pataka Museum, Porirua, NZ;
- Pasifika Styles (2006 -2008) University of Cambridge Museum, UK;
- Tangata o le Moana (2007 – 2017) Museum of N.Z Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, N.Z;
- First Contact (2007) Pataka Museum, Porirua, N.Z;
- Across Oceans and Time (2007) Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan, R.O.C;
- Dateline (2007) NBK Gallery, Berlin, Germany;
- News from Islands, Campbelltown Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia (2007);
- Paradise Now? (2004) Asia Society Museum, New York, USA;
Latest News
Into 2010, Michel will be progressing the Kina Public Artwork Commission at Kumutoto, Wellington Waterfront and we have four exhibititons scheduled within the first half of the year in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hawaii which we'll look forward to keeping you all updated on...
In the December 2009 publication of Art Asia Magazine curator Laura Cassidy Rogers, De Jong Museum, San Francisco has featured an editorial on Michel's inspirational Sculpture and Perfornance Artworks. http://www.aapmag.com
Currently, Michel is in Wanganui on a commissioned artwork by Wanganui District Council at Kowhai Skatepark and is being assisted by local graf artist Sole.
The Wellington City Council commissioned Michel to create a substantial artwork for the new Newlands Community Centre. Michel worked closely with local youth and on finalising the design was assisted by local graf artist Sole. The artwork captures the development of Newlands suburb from its infancy to the present day and as Michel grew up in Newlands he offered an personal historical interest and knowledge. http://www.wellington.govt.nz/news/display-item.php?id=3733
In celebration of Jean Marie Tjibaou's 20th Annivesary, Michel travelled upto New Caledonia to exhibit alongside local Kanaka Pasifika and Siapo Artists Association at the Musée Territorial de Nouvelle Caledonie until 25 January 2010.
Creative NZ invites Michel to present alongside Rhombus - Wellington dub n' bass, hip-hop, soul, funk, and roots-reggae band to perform a showcase at the Australian World Music Expo in Melbourne Nov 19 and 20th November, 2009. http://www.awme.com.au
