lucy mhoma

As a child I loved to draw Fortunately my parents valued and encouraged my creativity which gave me a foundation to build upon in later life

For years drawing became a visual diary of my adventures, observations and experiences

At the age of twenty one, I decided to become a sculptor While living in Europe during my early twenties, I developed a growing awareness of how sculpture plays a vital part in our environment

Since my specialized training with special needs adults and children, I worked as an apprentice, with professional sculptors in Scotland, Italy, Austria and Zimbabwe  I then went on to study sculpture at Tom Bass Sculpture School in Sydney for two years

Some time later I flew to Africa to work with the Shona sculptors in a remote Zimbabwe community called Tengenenge

It was a profound experience! Hundreds of mud huts huddled together, inside each hut there was a family with at least one member being a sculptor We carved beautiful, local stone with hand-made tools

All at once, my values and everything I believed in magnified  Africa taught me how to live happily with less and how to live a more sustainable life 

On the plane to Zimbabwe, I sat next to a delightful Tanzanian sculptor called Lucy As you can imagine we had a lot to talk about, we laughed all the way to Africa! Lucy invited me to visit her in Tanzania and we somehow knew we would meet again The dream came true! Our meeting, along with my time in Zanzibar was another turning point in my life as an artist

At dusk when I ventured out to draw the people and unique life of Zanzibar, all the children came running up to me, quietly and curiously watching with their big, black eyes

The integral essence and spirit of all indigenous people has given depth to several themes in my paintings and sculpture  It is this soul quality which gives life and meaning to my work

My work is inspired by nature, the experiences I have had in different cultures, the people I have met and the community they live in  I love painting with oil and acrylic, using texture with either mixed media on quality canvas or scratching the wet paint on the surface of recycled wood  Although I have a passion for stone, I also love to explore plaster, recycled wood and metal or a combination of these materials  Each painting and sculpture holds a certain simplicity, with the aim to evoke a positive emotional response

Even though my restless, free spirit thrives on discovering the unknown by travelling to far off lands, it is always a wonderful feeling to return home to New Zealand

Teaching art and sharing my passion is also something I enjoy  My aim is to encourage each individual to find their own unique creative expression  I run workshops for adults and children, and one on one classes for those with special needs

Having exhibited in New Zealand for the past 20 years, my work has now found it's way all around the world

I presently live in Christchurch, New Zealand with my husband and two sons

Biography

Established base and network of artists in Holland

Mural Commission in Amsterdam

1992

Marble carving workshop- Carrara, Italy and Vienna, Austria

Visited art centres throughout Europe with the purpose of gathering a supportive group of international sculptors for future symposiums in New Zealand

Returned to North Otago Completed commission for private garden in Christchurch

Off Centre Aigantighe Gallery, Timaru, Touring exhibition of contemporary art by regional women from

the lower half of the South Island, organised in honour of the 1993 centennial of suffrage in New Zealand

Settled in Nelson Young contemporary exhibition, Bishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson

Solo show, exhibition of indigenous figures, Gallery One, Nelson

Returned to Nelson Focused on painting Maori rock drawing wall hangings

Spent six weeks visiting a Tanzanian sculptor in Dar es Salaam and painting the exotic, historical life of Zanzibar, East Africa

Commission for mother and child sculpture, Nelson

Commission for poetry book cover, Twilight Burns the Sky by Kathleen Gallagher

Painting commission - Nelson

Commission for book cover and illustrations, Peace Plays by Kathleen Gallagher (click here to see photo)

Commissions for stone memorial sculpture - Christchurch, pelican sculpture- Christchurch, water sculpture- Nelson

Started art classes for adults and children in studio at home

Commission for Family sculpture, Christchurch

Commission for Earth Mother Sculpture, Christchurch

Exhibition - Past Times and Passageways, Cloister Gallery The Arts Centre, Christchurch

Group exhibition - Planting seeds of Hope at Silvan Gallery, Christchurch

Travelled to Western Samoa to paint and work towards Pacific Island exhibition An Island Sanctuary

Exhibition - An Island Sanctuary open studio exhibition, Prebbleton, Christchurch

Mural Commission for Prebbleton School, Prebbleton, Christchurch

Celebrating Selwyn - an open studio exhibition of recent works

A Joint Exhibition - "Points of Difference", Gallery O, The Arts Centre, Christchurch

Art of Courage Exhibition, Longueville gallery, Taitapu, Christchurch  Painting donated to Child Cancer Foundation

Logo Commission for Prebbleton Enviro-Village, Prebbleton, Christchurch

Logo Commission for Home Hosted Accommodation, Canterbury

Painting Commission, Christchurch

Illustration for A, B and See book, The Dyslexia Foundation

Consignment for Lifesize Sculptures of two Maori Figures, Artbay gallery, Queenstown

Celebrating Selwyn Exhibition, Thyme Cafe, Prebbleton 

Arts Canterbury Exhibition, in support of all Christchurch artists losing trade since the earthquake

The George Hotel, Christchurch

Matariki Exhibition, Kaan Zamaan Gallery, Kerikeri

NZ Van Lines Exhibition, supporting Christchurch artists, St James Theatre, Wellington

Sculpture Commission, Golden Bay

Water sculpture, Ladbrooks school Canterbury

Child and Teacher sculpture, Prebbleton School, Christchurch

Clay Workshop, Prebbleton School, Christchurch
Stone Carving Workshop, Leeston School, Christchurch

Sculpture donation, Nurse Maude Hospice, Christchurch 

Preparations for Exhibition of Life in Zanzibar

Preparations for exhibition 'Islands' based on more paintings and drawings of Life in Zanzibar during my recent visit to visit family

Artist in Residence - Prebbleton School Funded by the Red Cross in support of earthquake recovery Working with 5 - 12 year old children, creating murals, sculpture and mosaics to enhance the school environment, creatively building confidence and security in each child

Members Exhibition, Down by the Liffey Gallery, Lincoln

Selected works exhibited, McAtamney Gallery, Geraldine

Journey to the Middle East, Europe and USA to kindle a wider network of artists, therapists and galleries to revive my artist's profile and promote my work

Artist in Residence at Prebbleton School, Prebbleton, Canterbury

Opened Kapowai Studio in Lincoln for Exhibitions of own work, tuition and creative inspiration for adults and children
Exhibition of works at The Christchurch Art Show

Stayed in a Fijian village with local people making friends and gathering artistic inspirations for island exhibition

Exhibited at The Christchurch Art Show
Open Studio Exhibition at Kapowai Studio