Susan Haywood-Smith

My past work has incorporated strong historical themes such as a series based on the Treaty of Waitangi. This reflects my interest and previous studies undertaken in Social History.
On a subconscious level the subject matter of my artwork is a direct reflection of my own personal history, derived from my experience of being a Pakeha raised in South Auckland.
With no link to my Irish/English heritage to make reference to, I embraced the wonderfully rich culture of the Maori and Pacific Islanders around me. This was reinforced by my family ties to the Te Arawa Iwi.
Today, I am still reconciling the two worlds of my British lineage alongside my experience of Maoridom, and have yet to determine the point of intersection at which I am placed. However my art allows me to work through this dichotomy from which I hope to create powerful and stirring New Zealand artwork.