Ross Hemera (Kāhui Whetu)   DipFAA

Pae Matua

Te Whanganui-a-tara Art, Design

Ngāi Tahu

Ross Hemera’s creative interests include Maori visual expression, Maori material and visual cultural, cultural identity and Maori art and design practice.

Ross has built up a practice that honours and reflects the cultural and artistic traditions of his iwi. Recently Ngai Tahu Rununga, have sort Ross’s contribution and leadership regarding the development of Ngai Tahu arts. Ross played a major creative and cultural role in the recent launch of Ngai Tahu’s “Aho” product range of quality garments. Ross is a member of the Aho i te Rangi Trust, a group dedicated to reviving and maintaining Ngai Tahu weaving. Recent work with the Ngai Tahu Pouwhenua Project includes the Queenstown Post Office Precinct’s glass and sculptural work. His most recent work is the Tuhituhi Whenua: Pouwhenua Mural on the southern entrance facade of the new Christchurch Civic Buildings.

In 2004 Ross was granted honorary user status of Creative New Zealand’s ‘Toi Iho Maori Made’ mark.
In 2005 Ross was appointed as a panel member on the Tertiary Education Commission’s PBRF Peer Review Panel for Maori Knowledge and Development.
Ross is Associate Processor, School of Visual and Material Culture, College of Creative Arts, Massey University.