Steve Solomon (Ngāi Tahu, Ngati Whakue, Ngati Pikiao, Te Whanau a Apanui) is a customary Māori wood carver/kaiwhakairo, who was artist-in-residence at Te Atamira in 2022. Steve, from Riverton, Murihiku (Southland), learned the art of whakairo through established mentors including his grandfather, who was also a wood carver.

‍

During his study for the Bachelor of Māori Art Degree - Maunga Kura Toi (Whakairo) at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Steve received mentoring from leading North Island master carvers. He joined a team of carvers from Te Puia, Rotorua, to design and produce panels for the wharenui (meeting house) at Mataura Marae in Murihiku in 2018. With the support of Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka (Riverton iwi council) and in collaboration with master carver James York, he has co-developed whakairo wānanga (educational workshops and gatherings) to help re-establish the art of whakairo in the southern regions. He was also commissioned to carve a large pou for Awarua Rūnaka (Bluff iwi council) and the Department of Conservation for the Waikawa nohanga site.

‍

Before moving to Tāhuna, he collaborated with the Museum and Art Gallery Niho o te Taniwha in Invercargill through the Toi Māori Residency initiative, which was designed to nurture the development of contemporary Māori artists and to connect local Māori people with the rich cultural heritage and global significance of indigenous wood carving craft. He was also commissioned to create the waharoa – the gateway for the main entrance into the Southern Institute of Technology on Tay Street in Invercargill. Among other projects, he is currently designing work for public spaces and buildings in Remarkables Park.

‍