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.

Saturday, June 5, 2021

LED Manu Aute Installation — Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta

Three LED Manu Aute by James Cannon installed across the exterior wall of Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta in Auckland, created as a permanent Matariki installation. Artist James Cannon and an electrician using step ladders to mount a bird-shaped LED Manu Aute kite sculpture on a black brick exterior wall at Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta. Artist James Cannon and Kōhanga teacher Danni standing together beneath a completed bird-shaped LED Manu Aute kite sculpture mounted on a black brick wall at Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta.

Wow, what an honour! New Zealand’s largest kōhanga reo, Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta in Auckland, commissioned me to install three of my new LED Manu Aute in time for Matariki.

Rather than cutting them out by hand like last time, I created vector images so the plasma cutter could cut them out for me. It worked a treat, and they came out even tidier than the originals.

The same principle applies as before, with each kite having two independent 5-metre lengths of colour-changing LED ribbon.

I’m really happy that these are going to be on permanent display, and I hope they’ll be inspirational to the kids and passers-by!

A big thank you to Danni from Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Arapeta and John the electrician for helping make it all happen.

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