Rowena Rooney

Region: Auckland

Born in West Auckland, I grew up in Te Atatu North. I was brought up by my grandparents who have both given me the opportunity to experience all that is expressed. My grandmother is from the village of Nukubalavu, Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji Islands. My grandfather is from a long family line of stone mason quarry men from Langton Matravers, Dorset, England. My artwork is largely inspired by my Fijian heritage and the land of Aotearoa, my home. Both of which I am very passionate about and they are strong parts of my life journey. As a child growing up I attended Matipo Primary, Te Atatu Intermediate and Rutherford High School. I am a trained primary school teacher and have also been a Visual Art Lecturer at the University of Auckland, Faculty of Education.
I am currently a Visual Art Specialist at two local schools. I have worked on a variety of large mosaic commissions both locally and overseas. I create artwork using a range of media, including glass but my main media being mosaic.
My Oamaru stone sculpture incorporates mixed media to help express my life experiences from Fiji. My mosaic surfboards depict parts of my life that have had a major influence on my life thus far. I chose to work with surfboards because I wanted to mix my love for the sea with my passion for mosaic.
The masi (tapa) design I have going down the spine of the Pasifika boards represent my family’s province in Fiji being Cakaudrove. The sea has always been an important part of my heritage not only for collecting and gathering but also for its sacredness and power. The ocean is the passage between my ancestor’s land and the land I call home. A highlight on my artistic journey has been the opportunity to travel to Italy and carve white Carrara marble.
In 2010 I was invited to exhibit art work in the New Zealand Art Awards in Wellington. In 2016 I gained 2nd place 3 – dimensional in the New Zealand Mosaic Awards and last year, 2018, gained 3rd and a highly commended placing for the Pasifika category at the New Zealand Mosaic Awards.
My artwork represents my respect for nature, keeping things natural and sharing my energy with others.
I give thanks to my Fijian ancestors for their spiritual inspiration and for the masi designs that flows through and on my body.