Rounding out the season from 12th December is an exhibition of John Hall’s work titled “Life”.

Hall predominantly works with polystyrene, which he carves, coats, and then paints. For his exhibition at Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery, he has drawn inspiration from his ancestors, the land and sea, life's emotions, as well as many years spent living in parts of Europe where he began expressing himself through art. Hall now resides in Whakatane, where he dedicates his days to his passion for creating.

John Hall said: “This is the first ever exhibition of my work, and it’s a real honour and privilege to be chosen to showcase it at the amazing Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery. When I create, I must listen to music. Listening to Maori or Greek music seems to take me where I need to be, and I find it influences my work - guests to the gallery will see this inspiration come through. I love art and the journey it takes me on, and I’m looking forward to showcasing my creations.

I have decided to call the exhibition ' Life ' as I feel all the pieces in the exhibition are linked by different aspects of life.

To know who you are and where you have come from has been very important to me for as long as I can remember. I am very proud of my Maori and English blood lines. The inspiration for my main piece, the 8 beating hearts of Te Arawa (Nga Pumanawa E waru o Te Arawa), stems from the importance of knowing yourself and feeling proud of who you are and being strong and free. This piece is my attempt to show my heritage in my own unique way, a new Maori jacket if you will, that will appeal to a wider group of people. Each piece of the 8 represents different aspects of life which are important to maori such as land, sea, people. The red flax links the pieces and represents the blood line."

Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery
Level 3, Saatchi & Saatchi Building
123 The Strand, Parnell
Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Ph. +64 9 3555000
heath.davy@saatchi.co.nz
www.saatchi.com

Opening hours
Monday - Friday
From 10 to 5pm