Artist Profile
Te Rahui Nicholls
Toimairangi Māori Art tutors selected Te Rahui as the highest achieving student who will benefit from the challenge of producing a body of artwork for a public solo exhibition. As this year's recipient of the David Fine Scholarship, Te Rahui reflects a lot of firsts. He is of Cook Island and Ngāti Tuwharetoa descent, making him both the first Pacific Island and first male art student from Toimairangi to receive the scholarship.
Te Rahui is currently completing Level 6 of the Maunga Kura Toi – Bachelor of Māori Art programme, majoring with Rauangi – Multimedia focus, reflecting his strong ability in painting, carving and contemporary sculpture. Painting on canvas and recycled native timber allows Te Rahui to explore various aspects of Māori art from kōwhaiwhai to cultural narratives both ancestral and modern.
