Sam Mathers for Saatchi & Saatchi: Local designer on the rise Holding his first exhibition โWhere have you been?โ at Blacksands Cafรฉ in mid 2011, multi-disciplinary graphic designer and contemporary artist Sam Mathers has since been busy creating new works of art for big name advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi.
York. I was pretty stoked that someone of his status loved my art,โ says Sam. Having worked as a freelance graphic designer for the past seven years, Sam has already worked for clients such as RPM, Analog and various magazines to list only a few names. Having started painting when he was around 15, Sam notes โI only ever painted a few random things if people asked me to, I basically got serious about painting around February last year when I got back from my OE.โ Living between Raglan, where he does his painting, and Auckland where he sells most of his work, Sam says his inspirations stem from getting out of Raglan and seeing new things, although he adds that Raglan is inspirational for its good waves. โIโm inspired by different countries and their cultures, strong contrasting colours, interesting words, iconic people and popular culture. Other things would be my pets. I have a weird cat who does unusual things and also my dog who had a huge personality,โ says Sam. While recent attention is on Samโs artistic endeavors, he has also done stints as a sponsored surfer as well as working as an extra on the set of Spartacus. Meeting the film crew while working on the set of another film set led to a role as an extra in the hit
Chronicling his travels around the world and inspired by the stories behind the different cultures and iconic images he encountered, โWhere have you been?โ held in his hometown last year opened up the opportunity for Sam to be approached by Antonio Navas, Art Director from Saatchi & Saatchi. โAntonio saw photos of my paintings from my art exhibition, basically he really liked them and his secretary contacted me to ask if I would like to paint a commissioned mural in the Saatchi & Saatchi office,โ says Sam. One of the top creative strategists in the advertising industry, Venezuelan-born Navas has an impressive portfolio of campaigns under his belt including working with acclaimed artists such as Annie Liebowitz and Andy Warhol. โLater on I found out that Antonio had worked with some famous artists during his early years, including Andy Warhol in New
Sam Mathers with some of his designs. television series. โI really enjoyed meeting new people on set, the set design is pretty amazing too. The whole process of making a movie from start to finish is also really interesting. I enjoyed the awesome food and just having a good time each day,โ says Sam of his experiences on set. With the start of the New Year, Sam has recently completed another mural for the
Media Design School in Auckland. Looking ahead, he will also be creating new works for an upcoming March exhibition at the Mobile Art Gallery in Auckland as well as another exhibition at the Saatchi & Saatchi gallery in April. Head to www.smcreative.co.nz to check out some great work by Sam. Maki Nishiyama
Kibblewhite hot at first 2012 Hyundai Tour event Thomas Kibblewhite has made the best possible start to the 2012 Hyundai Tour convincingly winning the first event completed at Manu Bay, Raglan on Sunday 8th January. Kibblewhite posted 16.07 out of a possible 20 points in a wave starved final and claimed the edge over his opponents early on the five event tour.
putting in a performance that only a local could. He sealed the win via his last wave sharply surfed for a 7.17 to finish with a 13.50 point heat total. Mark Hoyle (Orewa) surfed to his best ever result at a national level, placing second in the final. Hoyle had looked the in-form surfer all event but was not quite a match for Thomson in the final, finishing with an 11.60 point heat total.
Image courtesy of PhotoCPL
Daniel Kereopa had only one result in mind for the Stand Up Paddleboard Division and that was first place in front of his family and friends. โOh I think competing at home is tougher for me and local boys but I wasnโt thinking of any other result than first. I had to win this weekend no matter whatโ Kereopa said. had to win
The surf remained in perfect condition for the final day with the forecast gale force winds not eventuating, leaving a groomed ocean and a 1.0m swell. Mischa Davis (Piha) took the honours in the Womenโs Longboard Division. โIt feels pretty good to come home and winโ Davis said. โI love surfing Raglan, I am a goofy footer so I feel at home hereโ. Alexis Poulter (Raglan) placed second in the final and scoring 10.90 with Shelley Jones (Auck) in third and Anna Jolly (Piha) in fourth.
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I this weekend no matter what Daniel Kereopa
Nic Jones led the Under 18 Boys Final from the outset after posting a 9.0 point ride on his first wave ridden. The smooth young surfer from the Sunshine Coast was a standout in all events after also posting a fifth placing in the Open Menโs Division. He finished the final with a 17.67 point heat total to surpass the Poulter brothers Ben and Sam who finished second and third respectively. Defending Over 40 Menโs Champion Brian Young (Orewa) got his year off to the best start by winning the first event. Young eased to victory scoring a 14.83 point heat total in the final with 8.83 and 6.0 point rides. Young left his three opponents to battle out a closer fought race for the minor placings. Mount Maunganuiโs Mal Brady clinched runner up ahead of Steve Tyro (Rag) and Guy Rencher (Mnt). Michael Thomson was never going to let a national event slip by his home break without
Like many other finals, the win came down to getting a good start to the final and Kereopa used his knowledge of the break to put pressure on his opponents who ultimately left him alone to get the pick of the waves. โI put the pressure on early and it paid offโ added Kereopa.
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The โKing of the Wavesโ paddle race saw 24 paddlers take to the water completing a 3.0km course from the boat ramp at Manu Bay out into the bay and back around past the break then in through the waves. The lead changed several times as the paddlers navigated the waves with limited success on their boards that are tailored to distance racing. Defending Hyundai Tour paddle race champion Armie Armstrong (Rag) surged into the lead after the first two legs but with the last pass through the waves came unstuck allowing Warwick Grey (Waihi Beach) to fly past surfing a wave down to the boat ramp and then complete the 100m dash back through the car park. Jeremy Stephenson (Auck) finished in second place with Armstrong in fourth. Surfing NZ
Daniel Kereopa mid way through an impressive backhand turn on his 8โ0โ stand up paddleboard.
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RAGLAN Chronicle 9