James Cannon • Future Primitive NZ: ‘The Four Props’ hand-painted acrylic on canvas

James Cannon • Future Primitive NZ

My name is James Cannon, an award-winning New Zealand artist and sculptor based in Taumarunui. My journey began through Te Toi Whakairo, where I was traditionally trained by Kaiako Kenny Jones, before continuing my studies under Master Carvers Te Kuiti Stewart and Hohepa Peni at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, graduating with excellence in 2013. After years immersed in whakairo and creating public artworks, my artistic journey evolved into large-scale recycled metal sculpture and imaginative contemporary creations. Combining craftsmanship, storytelling, and imagination, I transform forgotten materials into unique artworks that celebrate creativity, connection, and transformation — continuing an evolving artistic legacy.

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Sunday, February 16, 2014

‘The Four Props’ hand-painted acrylic on canvas

The Four Props by James Cannon, a hand-painted acrylic artwork on canvas featuring an abstract geometric design inspired by the Māori tradition of Tokomua, Tokoroto, Tokopa, and Rangi-potiki.

This piece represents my own abstract interpretation of the origins of the universe through the Māori tradition of the four props: Tokomua, Tokoroto, Tokopa, and Rangi-potiki. These props were used to permanently separate Rangi and Papa (Heaven and Earth).

I built this design in three stages in coordination with the three states of existence, with Te Kore (the void) represented at the centre, Te Pō (the night) beyond that, and Te Ao-mārama (the world of light) on the very outside configured out of life symbols. I used the golden ratio 1:1.618 to space these three levels accordingly.

Medium: Hand-painted acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 460mm x 460mm