Mentor
Paul Forrest
Painter
Born in Whakatane, New Zealand in 1963. I’m a self taught professional artist, environmentalist and educator based in Wellington, New Zealand. My works are held in private collections throughout New Zealand, Germany, The Netherlands, the United States, Australia and England. I’ve been an artist since birth and a professional artist for more than 30 years.
For 6 years recently I was a board member/advisor and educator for The Real Art Roadshow trust and travelled all over New Zealand teaching thousands of school kids how to look at contemporary New Zealand art.
Since early 2015 I have been working on ‘The Halo project’ series in collaboration with Auckland photographer Derek Tearne and soundscape artist Matu Booth. The first outdoor installation of these bird photo/paintings was in Carrara Park, Newtown in early 2015. Since then we have developed a series of weatherproof bird photo/paintings that are touring New Zealand as a vehicle to promote eco-activism and the awareness of the vital importance of predator free Bird Sanctuaries and native tree planting initiatives throughout New Zealand. It was recently staged for the Auckland Arts Festival and on Wellington’s waterfront promenade summer 2017 and will be showcased at the Mahara gallery in Waikanae Aug-Sept 2017.
I have also worked on collaborative projects with other artists including musician Rhian Sheehan, poet Brian Turner, Dancer and Choreographer Lyne Pringle.
Professional experience
- Self taught, Self- representing Artist 1988 – present
- Massage Therapist 1990 – present
- Co-Producer, sound and projection operator and set builder for Contemporary Dance Company Bipeds productions 2006 – 2014
- Artist Residencies during International Arts Festival Wellington – 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
- Artist Residency ‘Art in the Park’ Wanaka Mar-Apr 2011
- Board member, Advisor and Educator for the Real Art Roadshow Trust 2011- present