Maori Artist Showcase: Muralist and Portrait Artist, Ren Hardgrave

Ko Ren tōku ingoa
Ko Hardgrave tōku ingoa whānau
Ko Ngāti Kahungungu toku iwi
Ko Tutaikuri tōku awa
Ko kahuraanaki tōku maunga
Ko Tawhiti o maru tōku marae

I am a muralist and portrait artist with a background in graffiti and street art. Creating images that command attention to produce discussion. art from the heART

Inspiration for my creative development have come from Charles Goldie, Smug1, Graham Sydney,  Cobra and Banksy

in 2014 I was part through a 12 month Department of Corrections offender management program. My brief was to inspire and provide "stepping stones to at risk offenders and help with   employment-study and overall life direction. To action this i would ask what inspired them and what was their passion.  If a man followed his passion- life would be more enjoyable and success would sure to follow- One of my clients reversed this on me and asked " do you like working with gang members and prisoners " is this your passion Ren?    I told him yes it is I have always wanted to help others..........  but my true passion is art - he pushed a little harder to see why I wasn't walking the talk. It's at this stage that I began painting and drawing again. And what started out as a " ok bro I'll follow my passion if you start following yours" continues to be a source of "life" for me. 

Working as a community work supervisor for Corrections has also provided me with a ten man art critic crew. It started with a direction to take a 10 man crew under a bridge to paint out graffiti - it ended with a karate kid mural and 10 guys nodding in approval - 18 murals later the recurring comments coming from the work crews was TALENT. Honest and raw feedback regarding my art work has encouraged me to continue and developers my craft, my passion, my life

A muralist and portrait artist with a background in graffiti and street art. Creating images that command attention to produce discussion. art from the heART

Contact renhardgrave@gmail.com 

 instagram @renhardgrave

Facebook ren hardgrave