Tangata whenua, People of the Land

Erçan Tāmati Cairns

Ngāi Tūhoe - Erçan Tāmati Cairns is a bold and passionate emerging artist whose innovative approach has gained recognition in Tāmaki Makaurau's dynamic art scene. A proud uri of Ngāi Tūhoe, Erçan bridges the gap between ancestral mōhiotanga and contemporary artistic expression through his distinct fusion of fluid acrylics and richly textured oil pastels. His layered, intuitive compositions pulse with energy and emotion, revealing an aesthetic that pays homage to influences such as Emily Karaka, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Picasso while forging a unique and authentic voice.

Erçan's confident gestural mark-making is immediate, expressive, and raw, reflecting both his deep connection to cultural roots and his fearless exploration of modern art forms. Eschewing traditional Mātauranga Māori visual structures such as kōwhaiwhai, whakairo, and raranga, Erçan opts to reimagine these motifs with gestural vitality and vibrant color, imbuing his symbols with a dynamic wairua that expresses his interpretation

He tino kaha te aurere, te torotia, te akoranga o tēnei kaimahi toiataata. Erçan does not follow the customary symbolism of Mātauranga Māori kowhaiwhai, whakairo or raranga which have definite structures of tapu/noa, rhymical patterns of curvilinear and rectilinear shapes that have a balance of positive and negative spaces

Grounded in the whenua of Te Urewera, Erçan draws inspiration from time spent with his whānau at Ruatāhuna, hunting with his father, and connecting to the land near their marae Ōhāua, accessible only by horseback or hiking

He tino nui tōna kaha mō ngā toiataata. This bond with his whakapapa is an integral thread in his practice, manifesting in his courageous exploration of identity, heritage, and the boundaries of contemporary Māori and Tongan visual culture. A self-taught artist, Erçan’s development has been fueled by passion, perseverance, and an openness to learning through collaboration with renowned artists such as Fatu Feu’u, Emily Karaka, Donn Rātana, Tavita Latu, Taniela Petelo, Terje Kolomatangi and Alexis Neal. Erçan has cultivated a practice rooted in rigorous research and expressive innovation , all whilst being guided and mentored by some of our greatest Pacific Artists.

Erçan Tāmati Cairns stands at the forefront of a new wave of Māori artists, fearlessly challenging conventions while honoring his whakapapa. His works resonate with the vitality of contemporary Aotearoa and hold the promise of significant contributions to the future of art in Aotearoa and beyond.

Photo from February 2025 solo exhibition ‘TĀMATI’ at Boyd Dunlop Gallery