Erana painting her mark on world

CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News

BRIGHT FUTURE: Erana James, 20, winner of the Art Award at the 2009 Young Achievers Awards.

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At 20-years-old, Waitara's Erana James has cultivated a reputation as an artist which takes others years.

The Art Award winner at the 2009 Young Achievers Awards, it has been a whirlwind time since she was named 2007 Top Maori Scholar at Sacred Heart Girls' College.

She was one of very few students accepted straight from secondary school to undertake a Bachelor of Maori Visual Arts at Massey University's Te Putahi A Toi .

Erana had a short film piece she exhibited requested for use in the New Plymouth District Council's Waitangi Community Korero workshop series next year. Another work is on display at the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust Awards in Opunake.

"The one at the Taranaki art awards is a painting, which is Kowhaiwhai, and it's about Turangawaewae, which is just your home, land.

"I got a phone call last week saying that one had sold as well, and then I sold one to Massey University last month.

"I base most of my work on Pitah A Manaia, which is a guardian, spiritual being."

All this considering Erana, who did ballet and school kapahaka, was unsure if she wanted to be an artist.

"My nana passed away when I was in seventh form and I didn't know what I was going to do when I finished school.

"She use to paint landscapes, when she passed away it inspired me that I wanted to get more in touch with my culture.

"Best way for me to show my culture to other people was through painting."

Inspired by her teachers, Erana adapted well to university, but is amazed how quick recognition came.

"Talking to my lecturers, they're like `you finish your degree, and then you don't get your name out there for a while'.

"But mum knows quite a few people, just talking to everyone, so it's definitely come faster than I thought, but it's all right, I've just got to get some more paintings out there."

As well her parents, Erana thanked family friend Mariee Kissik, who nominated her after attending her Palmerston North exhibition.

She is travelling to art week in Melbourne next year and considering a post-graduate degree in teaching as she learns the Maori language.

"It just depends on how far I go, if I can make it in the art world.

"We'll see what happens, hopefully I'll make my mark somewhere in the world."

- © Fairfax NZ News