Chris Charteris b. 1966

Chris Charteris is a sculptor, jeweller, and carver based in the Coromandel Peninsula. A full-time artist since the early 90s, his work deals with identity and utilises traditional functional or decorative forms alongside contemporary practices.

Adopted by Pakeha in Tāmaki Makaurau, Charteris was initially told he was Māori - which informed his study of traditional Māori carving - but later discovered his heritage was instead comprised of Kiribati, Fijian, and English. He explores this journey through his own history and identity through his work, finding the intersection and universality of cultural forms.

Chris' creative practice is also drawn from a connection to the objects he uses. The histories and relationships revealed in natural materials such as rock, pounamu and whalebone are sources of design and deep contemplation.

Trained originally in Māori design and carving at Te Rarawa Marae, Charteris went on to be a carving tutor at Northland, Otago and Southland Polytechnics, and Dunedin College of Education Arai Te Uru Kōkiri Youth Learning Centre, before establishing Te Whare Whakairo Gallery and Workshop in Dunedin in 1995.

Since 1996 he has exhibited in many solo and group exhibitions in New Zealand and internationally, such as Unlocked, Koru Contemporary Art, Hong Kong, 2009. His group exhibitions include: Wunderruma, Galerie Handwerk Munich, Germany and The Dowse Art Museum, Wellington, 2014; Stone, Fingers, Auckland, 2014; Laisee - 10 Years of Koru Contemporary Art in Hong Kong, 2011 and Pasifika Styles, Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, England, 2008.

Chris Charteris' works are in a number of public and private collections, including Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, The Dowse Art Museum, the British Museum and the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.