Artist - Lance Ngata

Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Whātua

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From the small towns of Uawa and Tūrangi, Aotearoa. Lance is a Māori Artist, trained in Design, Whakairo, Ta Moko, Photography/Film and Teaching.

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Lance's interest in Tā moko sparked at the age of 12yrs old, witnessing whānau receive moko kauwae during a mokopapa at Otūkou Marae. With an existing passion for drawing, his focus turned to the world of Toi Māori. He attended Te Aute College who fostered a strong art programme, led by Dr Mark Dashper and Toihoukura artists Henare & Tawera Tahuri. His time there progressed him to Hamilton to complete a Bachelor of Media Arts and Visual Arts at Wintec. Following years of working for creative agencies, Lance studied Teaching at Waikato University and then commenced training in Whakairo at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) in Rotorua. Lance was fortunate to later work for NZMACI/Te Puia on cultural projects, engaging many indigenous communities around the world. During this time, Carver and moko artist Katz Maihi was influential in Lance's decision to pursue the artform of moko.

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Lance returned to Tūrangi to teach art and whakairo at the local kura, who also supported his growth as a Tā Moko artist. Mentored by Tohunga Tā Moko Mark Kopua, Lance is committed to the health of toi and moko within Māori communities and serves in various collectives - Toi Hauiti, Mahi a Atua, Toi Tuwharetoa, Mokopapa-a-Motu and Ngā Matarau o Paepae Aotea.

Lance established his own whare moko called Mau Studio Ink in 2017 as a creative space to share his mahi with Aotearoa. His journey can be followed via facebook @Mau Studio Ink, OR on instagram @lance_ngata.