Jimmy James Kouratoras- 2023 catalogue Artbay

The art of Jimmy J

Ko Puke O Tahinga te Maunga

Ko Waikato te Awa

Ko Tainui te Iwi

Ko Ngāti Tiipa te Hapu

Ko Te Kotahitanga te Marae

Ko Jimmy James Kouratoras ahau

Kia ora!

My name is Jimmy James Kouratoras and I'm a contemporary visual artist from Aotearoa, New Zealand. My focus over the past decade has been to draw upon the experience of my 18-year-long film career as a scenic artist and use this to develop a broad storytelling palette.

My works today reflects my strong Indigenous connection and also the inherent knowledge of my ancestors. My paintings draw upon how my cultural heritage (and their respective pantheon of gods) enhance the spiritual facets of my work and actively contribute to a shared social consciousness that emanates through all my works.

I choose living Indigenous methodologies and practices to inspire and guide my practice, such as Creation Stories from the beginning of time to karakia (prayer) rongoa (natural plant medicine) and carving, the colloquial form and texture of Indigenous architecture. In drawing upon these traditional resources in combination with modern materials, my deep intention is to offer healing to those who view my art. My works are seen as contemporary artworks that are in conversation with our current socio-political concerns, as well as with our tupuna (ancestors).

I believe that my works have a life and energy and carry values that resonate with a commitment to create deep and long-lasting change in the world and in our collective higher consciousness.

Nāku iti noa, nā, Jimmy.

HEI TIKI

For Māori, the Hei Tiki symbol represents the human form and one's ancestors. Traditionally passed from parent to child it links the past, present and future. Hei tiki manifests itself in my work weaving messages from the divine, human experience and nature.

This large Hei Tiki is all about the heart, the aroha, the love within us. There is lots of movement through the head, which anchors the Hei Tiki. It is painted as a heavy, sculptural shape that also carries the lightness of a twilight sky Some green shades come out, showing the light within the pounamu (greenstone), the Māori gold, which has its own mauri (life force).

Acrylic and Resin on Canvas

120cm x 150cm $36.000.00

Hei Tiki Manawa

Hei tiki- for the love of our Ancestors

This painting brings the heavens, the earth, nature, and the human realm in close quarters with each other. The Sun and the Moon are right next to us, and our ancestors appear as elements of nature. Above this scene there is a stairway with angels that carry light all the way to the heavens, into another realm of ancestors and another layer of stars. This Hei Tiki contains elevation and expansion. One can see a man playing with the poi, as if spinning a planet in his hand, and controlling the elements around him and the myriad of celestial bodies that continue to guide our journey. This piece is available for viewing at the Park Hyatt Hotel

Acrylic Paint, Metal Flake and Resin on Canvas

91cm x 120cm $18.000.00

This painting was completed in March 2019 following the mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. It meant a lot to me to mark that time with tears but also to show strength and resilience of the community who came together. The Hei Tiki is an iconic symbol used in Māori culture and continues to be an inspiration to me.

Acrylic Paint and Metal Flake and Resin on Canvas.

Framed with negative detail and a dark waxed finished wood.

120cm x 150cm

$36.000.00

Hei tiki- Tangi Aroha

This painting draws upon the Māori concept of the violet flame, kahukura and the healing energy that accompanies this high vibration. The glowing mixture of pinks and purple and the vibrant eyes draw focus the need for vitaity and our experience as interconnected beings with all of the universe.

Acrylic and resin on canvas

72cm x 91cm $6300.00

Hei Tiki Kahukura

Acrylic paint, Metal flake, Resin on Canvas

120cm x 90cm $18,000

Hei Tiki O Te Ao

Part of the Hei Tiki Provenance collection, this Hei Tiki captures a myriad of reflections. Jewel-like it encompasses a brilliant array of colours and possesses a rare luminosity that enables the viewer to engage with the magnificence of the sun and light.

91cm X 120 cm $18,000

Hei Tiki Divine

Hei Tiki Divine is part of the Hei Tiki Tūpuna collection, inspired by the connection to ancestors and our relationship with the cosmos and the myriad of celestial bodies that continue to guide our journey.

Acrylic and Resin on Canvas

VARIOUS WORKS

Covid the distance between you and me

This painting was underway at the height of the COVID19 pandemic when Aotearoa was under a Level 4 Lockdown. Developed during this period of isolation, the characters in this painting were originally part of a distinct cluster, but over time have morphed and changed until they became fragments of their former selves. Ironically, this time of physical separation brought deep connection (especially through virtual communities); however, behaviours on the street still reinforced a sense of fear and hostility towards other human beings. To explore this primal and protective human response is the underlining motivation of the artist.

Acrylic and resin on Canvas 200cm x 200cm $125.000.00

This painting is inspired by the tūpuna and the various faces of our ancestors. Specifically, the angles, colours and ta moko (facial marks) in this painting vibrate with the highest intention of healing for all peoples

Acrylic and resin on Canvas 120cm x 120cm $18.000.00

Kanohi Wairua

This painting is a one-off original that depicts the taniwha that lives in each bend of Waikato river ( He piko, he taniwha). Connecting into the specific Tainui ontology and the rich cultural and historical significance of these lands, this painting is a distinctive blend of Indigenous mythology and historical experience.

Acrylic and resin on Canvas 120cm x 120cm $18.000.00

Waikato Te Awa

Kupe's Waka is a dream time painting depicting the vast Pacific ocean navigated by our ancestors below the highway of stars.

Acrylic and Resin on Canvas

72cm x91cm $6.300.00

Kupe's Waka

Tree of life

Drawing upon the archetypical Tree of Life that connects the heavens to the underworld this painting is an expression of various vibrating energies coming together in conversation. Different forms of relationships (such as familial ties) abound in this rich ecosystem that exposes the roots and invites the viewer to participate in new ways of seeing and experiencing connection. The geometric outlines of the birds are a reflection of the natural and organic but also the divine design that exists in all creation. In Māori cosmology the birds are also messengers and carry our thoughts and prayers to the Ātua (the gods). The colours also showcase a distinctive palette from the ochre and brown tones of the gnarled root formations to the pink and then golden lights of the tree tops where different forms of flight are depicted.

Acrylic paint, Metal flake, Resin on Canvas 120cm x 90cm $36,000

Te Winika Tauihu Totomoaka

Two parts of the original War canoe Te winika were hiden away from British soldiers during the Maori Land wars. Te Winika the Famous war machine was cut loose from it moring after the battle of rangnariri and drifted down river towards port waikato where it was later found. The prized Tauihu and the Taurapa were then buried in Totomoaka to preserve its mana and protect it from the british,who were out to destroy as may maori waka as they could

Arcylic Paint Pumice Metal Flake and Resin on Canvas 180cm x 235cm $9,000.00

The Meeting Place of Spirits Putahi Wairua

Angels and ancestors collide to create an intermediary space where humans are both fascinated and attracted to different worlds and their cosmologies - one Orthodox Christian, the other deeply Indigenous. This work embraces the notion of using 'whakapapa' (genealology) as a technique to layer various images, icons and symbols to create a cohesive narrative. Specifically, the large hei tiki which dominates the left hand-side of the painting is studded with intimate family portraits in its belly, and then as your gaze moves upwards you can see constellations and ancestral pathways that take you right up the very open, conscious, and bright red eyes. These windows to the soul symbolize a universe inside a universe. On the right hand-side, the archangel I've created is inspired by the 13th century frescoes in churches in Crete (which is where I'm from) and laced with gold, magenta and blue. These colours share the opulence of the vestries. The angel also has many swallows that we often see around these old monasteries which are now revered as cultural sites of historical significance.

Acrylic paint, Metal flake, Resin on Canvas 180cm x 230cm $135,000

Acrylic and Resin on Canvas. Framed in a black wood negative detail finish. 90cm x 150cm $27,000

He Taonga toku iho

Part of the ‘Ode to my Grecian Urn’ collection this painting pays homage to the artists’ Greek (Cretan) heritage This painting is inspired by a kyathos, a Greek vase for wine mixin) The bright colours also evoke the chakras and the desire to be in communion with higher vibrations and a greater good. The writing in the background is taken from Dr. Rose Pere’s book Te Wheke (used with her permission) to evoke the need to be in balance with the gifts of our physical and divine selves.

Powhiri o Nga Whetu

Our place amongst the stars within the wider universe is exceptionally precious. We are descendants of ancient peoples, tribes and cultures. We travel on our mother's back, Papatuanuku, cradled by our Father Sky Ranginui and as the sun turns away and the moon rises, we are gathered into a covenant that precedes the art of navigation. The stars, our ancestors, lean into our present to remind us of their presence and to guide us in the unfolding of a celestial plan.

Acrylic and resin on Canvas

91 cm X 150 cm $33,000

Wood Base soft Stone

Acrylic Paint and Resin on Canvas

50cm high 30cm wide 20cm deep

$9,000

Star navigator

This ancestral figure reflects the celestial colours of the southern night sky and shows him as a way finder guided by the dots of lights printed on the dark night skies. In Māori culture, Tohunga could read the star maps and chartered the heavens to navigate the open highways of our Pacific Ocean. Further, karakia was used to keep the faith and heart strong and to please the gods especially Tangaroa (God of the Sea) and Tawhirimatea (God of the Winds) All these elements are reflected in this sculpture and he is named after one of the very first navigators to Aotearoa