Open Studio – Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May , 261 School Road, 10am – 5pm

Born in 1965 in Auckland, and of Pakeha and Nga Puhi (Ngati Manu, Te Mahurehure) descent, Todd is a fulltime ceramic artist living and working at Muriwai Beach.

Primarily self-taught, Todd’s work is recognised for utilising a broad range of ceramic techniques and surface treatments as well as combining materials such as clay, wood, lashing and LED lighting.

Todd’s signature work, his contemporary Maori sculpture, often combines carved burnished clay with contrasting technical glazes, black lashing and wood.  This work is recognised for its beautiful crystalline glazes, referencing pounamu.  The theme that runs through this work is the reference to tools, and includes hoe (paddles), pa kahawai (spinners), tiheru (canoe bailers), and toki (adzes).

Todd also makes work that’s closely linked to his environment – surrounded by native bush but close to the crashing surf of Muriwai.  These new works have strong, and intimate connections to geology, biology and astronomy.  Recently, Todd has been developing multi-media work using materials such as ceramic, LED lighting and timber to create work that combine the disciplines of art and function.

A member of Nga Kaihanga Uku (the national maori clayworkers group), Todd has won 5 national art awards and is profiled in Denis Robinson’s book ‘New Zealand Gallery’, which details 62 New Zealand artists.  In May 2013 Todd was profiled in the international ceramics magazine, The Journal of Australian Ceramics.

Todd has work in private and corporate collections throughout the world, including New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Taiwan, Moscow and the United States.