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 25-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.

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I choose living Indigenous methodologies and practices such as karakia (prayer) rongoa (medicine) carving, the colloquial form and texture of Indigenous architecture, creation stories and ritual as my guiding sources. In drawing upon these traditional resources, my works are seen as contemporary artworks that are in conversation with our current socio-political concerns. 

 

I believe that my works have a home in your home –  and that our shared values resonate with a commitment to create deep and long-lasting change in the world and in our collective higher consciousness.

Nāku iti noa, nā, 

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Jimmy.