Ian-Wayne Grant

Ian-Wayne was born and raised in the Wairarapa-Bush district of New Zealand and became inspired by the works of his grandfather Te Winika Reihana Kaio. His interest in carving began at school and continued in 1981 when he began his apprenticeship at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua, learning the technical skills of carving. After graduating, he stayed on as a resident carver, working on tribal meeting houses, restoration and commission works. In 1994, Lyonel Grant asked him to assist in carving the meeting house Ihenga at the Waiariki Polytechnic in Rotorua. This became a turning point for Ian-Wayne as a carver. He returned to the institute as a tutor, then left to work on various projects of his own and to fulfill aspirations of his heart. Most recently, he assisted Fayne Robinson in carving his tribal meeting house Kaipo in south Westland on the west coast of the South Island.

—excerpt from Manawa—Pacific Heartbeat

©2005 Spirit Wrestler Gallery