Carving runs in Steve Solomon’s veins.

Raised in Riverton, Murihiku, it was his Poua and uncles who started him on his journey. Years later, the well-known kaiwhaikairo and contemporary installation artist is passing on his knowledge to a new generation, guiding the creation of a digital art programme as another strand to his successful business, Down South Whakairo.

Now based in Tāhuna, Steve (Kai Tahu, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) is well known for his distinctive style and the scale of his works, which blend traditional carving with modern materials and techniques, bridging the gap between the ancestral Māori world and contemporary society.

“My work aims to harmonise the deep-rooted traditions of Māori culture with the freshness of modern design elements.

“My artistic journey began with traditional Māori wood carving, and since then, I’ve broadened my artistic language.”

With the support of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu and WAVE funding, Steve’s created a digital art pilot programme to nurture the next generation.

Through a series of wānanga, the pilot has focused on digital rendering, illustration, 3D modelling and other industry-standard software tools.

“I wanted to create a digital program that helps our whānau get into that, entering that gateway so they still need to put in their mahi, their physical mahi, and learn other things, but it was just to get them to a place that they felt confident, to move forward and develop themselves within that digital space, and to then use that to leverage in their creation.”