In this episode we get to know Jo and Todd. Māori artists on the move. Having sold up their house and given away a lot of their possessions Todd and Jo have embarked on a journey of discovery. They are traveling Aotearoa New Zealand in a camper van exploring the country and its people. Todd is a skilled carver and sculptor of many things while Jo is a photographer who makes paper and has a weakness for collecting stones. In this engaging conversation we learn about their travels and their philosophies on being contemporary Māori artists and making while being on the road. Recorded at the 2023 Collaborationz event in Whangarei Jo and Todd are generous with their time and chat freely with Neville about their travels through the country and their artistic careers .

After coming across some scary conditions attached to using a local online gallery site Neville decides to take a deep dive into how you can check out new and untested online selling sites before signing up.

Neville takes us through a checklist of things to look for before signing up with an online sales platform and shares some worrying conditions found on one NZ based online gallery site. Very often artists are vulnerable to offers of low fees and commissions for selling their work, especially new and emerging ones. No matter where you are in your art journey it is important to do some simple due diligence before signing up on an online platform or site and inadvertently signing away rights on your work forever.

In this show Neville gets to talk with internationally acclaimed contemporary wood sculptor Benoit Averly about his journey from wood turner to Sculptor. Benoit who is based in Burgundy in France travels the world as a participant in international collaborative art events where his unique use of texture and his willingness to share his knowledge and skills has him in constant demand. Neville first met Benoit at the Canadian collaboration event in Saskatoon, called EMMA. Since then they have attended a number of events including the 2023 NZ Collab in Whangarei. That’s where this interview was recorded. PHOTO CREDIT: Sylvain Pascal. Benoitaverly.com. Benoitaverly_sculptor (instagram)

Neville and sisters Amy and Katie Metcalfe talk about what it takes to launch a metal based sculpture and design business in a post pandemic world. They also explore what it’s like being in business and making art as a sister duo, their experiences at Collaborationz in the metal area and across a range of disciplines on offer. The pair have created an exciting and unique brand and business model focused on recycling metal while keeping a super high level of design and finish quality. Their work is represented in stores and galleries across the country and has been shipped around the world. You can see the sisters work on their website Metalmetcalfe.com or follow them on instagram , Facebook or Pinterest. Or if you want to reach out their email is [email protected]

Neville and Alex sit down on day 2 of a New Zealand Collaborationz event to talk about his career as a Mosaic artist, illustrator, painter and gallery owner. Alex brings his wonderful high energy and passion for art and artists to the table as he and Neville compare their experiences in making and selling art in both New Zealand and Hawaii. Alex shares the observations and wisdoms he has gleaned in over 30 years experience as a maker supplying both local and tourist art markets. You can check out his work on instagram @alexgupton or see his work at his highly successful gallery Guptongallery.com

Richard Kier is a multidisciplinary artist and a registered Auctioneer who runs the biannual art auction that happens at the end of New Zealand’s premier Collaboration event. Richard sits down after a gruelling week of art making at the 2021 CollaboratioNZ to talk to Neville about what it takes to make art as well as be the logistics person for the event. Richards energy and passion for the event drive him to near exhaustion. When this interview was made the artists were winding down and starting to break camp but Richard still had the job of auctioning the nearly 150 pieces of art that were made in the week long event.

Neville explores some of the factors affecting the worlds art markets and looks at how to manage pricing and cost controls to protect your brand and viability. In an age where everything from shipping costs to rent and mortgages are on the rise all across the globe the temptation to discount or drop their prices is getting many artists into situations where their chances of staying viable is at risk. Neville explores some strategies to help protect an artists brand and hard won price points while still offering ways to meet the markets desire for savings.

Carl Peverall, a Sculptor, Painter and Ceramic Artist, joins Neville in his Nelson studio to talk about how an artist from North Carolina gets influenced by New Zealand sculptor Chris Booth. Neville and Carl explore his creative journey looking at how he transformed a 30 year career as a ceramic artist to that of a stone sculptor often working on monumental scale artworks. Having met 14 years ago at a New Zealand Collaborationz event, Neville and Carl have had the opportunity to build a friendship based on mutual respect and a shared passion for art in its many forms. Carl’s work can be found at carlpeverall.com or on instagram @peverallstonesculpture .

In this episode Neville talks with painter and cultural advisor Andrea Hopkins about her place in the Collaborationz family. How her art practice has evolved and what it’s like to be mistress of ceremonies and cultural guide at Collab. Andrea Hopkins

Andrea Eve Hopkins (1974 -)

Pare Hauraki, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Kinohaku, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Toa.

Welsh, English and Pākehā.

Born in Whangārei, Andrea is staunchly aligned with both her Māori and Pākehā lineage, having an arguably extensive knowledge of both histories. She was tutored and mentored by some of the great Māori art educators and artists of our time, including Manos Nathan (1948-2015), Colleen Waata Urlich (1939-2015) and Sandy Adsett (1939-).

“I’m not a spokesperson for the entire Māori culture. No-one is. Beware of anyone who claims they are. I’ve been cornered into speaking for ‘my people’ too many times to count.”

Andrea started her training at Northland Polytechnic, in Whangārei. After a car accident disrupted her study, Manos Nathan encouraged her attend Toihoukura Art School, in Gisborne. There, under the guidance of master colourist Sandy Adsett, Andrea graduated and entertained the possibility of painting as a full-time practice. Not long after, she was ‘found’ at Toimairangi School of Māori Visual Art by Kevyn Male, and went on to be represented by SOCA Gallery in Auckland where her career progressed on both the national and international stage.

Neville interviews Mike and Helen Walker about their first Collaboration experience at the 2021 NZ Collaborationz event in Whangarei. Mike is a highly acclaimed wood turner and Helen is a scientist. Together the run their Fielding wood turning business. The 2021 collaboration was their first event of its kind and they both take time to sit with Neville and talk about how they found the event, their highlights and how on just the first day they were already planning to return to the 2023 Collaborationz event.