Traditional Designs - 14

I love these decorated ceramic tiles by multi-talented, Christchurch-based Maori artist, Riki Manuel, who is perhaps best known as a carver and Ta Moko artist. You'll find Riki's paintings, carvings, tiles and Moko studio at his gallery, Te Toi Mana Maori Art Gallery, in the Christchurch Arts Centre complex.

Art - Inside and Out

Christchurch. July 2009. Ajr

I was wandering through the Christchurch Arts Centre Market last weekend when I noticed this paint job on the outside of Te Toi Mana Maori Art Gallery, which is where leading Maori carver, Riki Manuel bases himself. In addition to Riki's carving studio, which has a glass wall so you can watch him at work, the gallery also presents a great selection of traditional and contemporary Maori paintings, drawings, crafts and sculptures. I don't remember the building being painted like this on the exterior though. Maybe it's had a facelift in the months I've been out of Christchurch researching and writing Frommers New Zealand? Or maybe some garden greenery has been removed. Not that it matters of course. The good thing is, now you can't miss it!