New Zealand Sculptor Chris Bailey
Ringa Whao

A Carver’s Story

Chris Bailey the established and lauded New Zealand sculptor has recently achieved international recognition and representation of his country at the Venice Biennale.
This is just one extraordinary event in Chris' story.
This film explores both the inner and outer artist of a man breaking out of his shell and finding his roots through his work and visiting his culture. Katherine Fogerty of FHE Galleries in Auckland says Chris has in a mere two years the sheer brilliance and concentrated dedication that artists normally require 20 years to achieve.

Visually this film will show an intimate journey from Aoteroa to Italy where inside the La Maddalena Church in Venice where his recent work is currently being exhibited , These studies and experiences now resonates in Chris’ work as he discovers in the in the Maori world art and culture are inseparable This is off juxtaposed against his earlier works erected on an ancient Maori Pa site in Waiheke and newer works to be filmed in California collected by the famous architect Peter Cooper and his wife.
Chris reflects on some of his work and the meanings it has for him. We will also look at the parallels in his journey from Roman Catholic upbringing to his profound connection to the Marae and now the incredible journey from a Waiheke workyard to a Roman Catholic Church in Venice. This makes for an interesting discussion not only about artistic tradition but also about religion as Chris has experienced both faiths and through him we can see the dichotomy and the coherence.

Chris' works are collected around the world from New York to Europe and throughout Aoteroa. How he got there and what is motivating him is the crux of this story. Our film searches for his “Rosebud” set against wonderful landscapes and works of art that are breathless from Italy to New Zealand.
Chris says” I don’t feel compelled to stay in the Maori arena because I’m Maori but I think that part of that comes come in my work anyway. I love going to other countries, I get inspired by so many other artists – Roman, Greek, pre electricity, pre diamond gear, its my creative juices flowing big time.” The background score will consist of music composed by New Zealand composers and musicians Rhian, James Webster and Tiki Tara.
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