About Shona
I am a New Zealander. I was born at the end of the war, in Te Kuiti, in the King Country and my earliest days were spent in Pureora forest. I grew up on a farm in Kio Kio near a marae. It was on the border of the King Country and the Waikato. I attended school in the predominantly Maori village of Kihikihi. In my earliest years in Hairini, I was educated in Maori history and I understand the bond with the environment that runs deep in Maori.
That same bond is very deep within me. I am passionate about my native land. I love the stories about the legendary inhabitants of the bush wrapped in cloaks of flax and fern and having sometimes extraordinary powers to meddle for good or for evil in the affairs of humankind. I was lucky enough to be a first scholar at Waikato University and Teachers Training College and developed strong associations with Marae and Schools across New Zealand. I have travelled and taught around the world but New Zealand is my home.
To learn more about my qualifications and art career click on Curriculum Vitae.
Shona Hammond Boys - Artist/Author/Muscian/Filmmaker
Shona Hammond Boys Creative
Shona Hammond Boys
I went to USA for the first time in 1963-1964 on an American Field Scholarship. This cemented the significance of the Maori people in my life because I saw many different cultural groups and studied the different races living in New York.
In New Zealand I qualified with distinction as a teacher in 1967 and later in 1989 as an artist majoring in Figurative studies and portraiture. I held the appointed Government position for the Northern Regional Arts Council of the Queen Elizabeth Arts Council and as an artist, I was invited to go to Waitangi to make many sketches of the diverse Maori groups there for the 1990 ceremonies held for the commemoration of the 150 years since the Treaty of Waitangi signing. This was a government commission.
Many commissioned projects have followed.
Interview with Kathryn Ryan (Radio NZ) - Art Houses a haven for creative childre to express themselves
Pirimi's World
Shona expresses herself in so many ways, being a creative being. As an author, these books have been prepared as educational and discussion tools for school aged children particularly 8-12 years. They are specifically written and illustrated for visual learners. They cover the disciplines of Social Sciences, Languages, Learning to live together, Community and Environmental studies, Cultural and Social studies. They are specifically helpful for visual learners, for advocacy of Art talents and entrepreneurial studies. They tell of Pirimi who is the model of a gifted young and self- taught artist. Pirimi loves life, people, and the environment. His books give educators an insight into the thinking and development of a talented emerging artist and environmentalist.
This series of five readers by Shona Hammond Boys QSM, results from her studies of gifted and talented children in The New Zealand Children`s Art Houses of which she is National Director and Founder. Shona was awarded the Inaugural World Children Award 2015, by International Child Art Foundation for her services to children`s art worldwide. Shona`s CV is available on her website and these books are also on line at www.shonahammondboys.com The books are filmed and set to music by He Tangata Digital Media Systems Limited www.htdm.maori.nz with Laban Freeman as voice over.
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PIRIMI`S HOMEWORK: Pirimi`s kapahaka whanua is a collection of portraits of his family. He draws this for homework instead of writing and essay. It shows relationships and an extended family life.
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PIRIMI`S PEOPLE: A collection of portraits about Pirimi`s neighbours who come from all walks of life and the globe.It includes a map of the neighbourhood and where they all live.
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PIRIMI`S NATURE STUDIES: The natural life around him is a subject of great interest to Pirimi. He shares his knowledge of the local animals and creatures in his immediate environment.
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PIRIMI`S EXHIBITION: Pirimi`s solo exhibition is to raise money for a Children`s Art House. He puts up 80 portraits of friends and family .He uses his talents to advocate for others.
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PIRIMI`S GARDEN AND THE BEES: This reveals Pirimi`s true concern for the environment, the global future and shows how our attitude to the environment matters. Pirimi has a bee hive and advises everyone to stop using sprays and chemicals and to look after the bees.
Learn more about Pirimi's World here.
Services
A painting can be commissioned for our personal enjoyment. Please speak with Shona about your thoughts and ideas and a beautiful creation will come forth for your enjoyment
Should you wish to learn to express your own creativity through art, Shona can share her wealth of knowledge with you in personal tuition sessions. Contact Shona today to discuss your needs
Contact Shona
Lavender House
160 Bridge Street, Ōpōtiki, 3122
The Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Tel: +64 027 699 8843
Email: shona@shonahammondboys.com