The earliest art was religious. The earliest art of the West was based on the Bible. It is arguably also the greatest. Just think of the Sistine Chapel. The Last Supper. Even up to Rembrandt the Bible was a central and vital art-source. I am therefore mainstream when I paint Scripture. I am a traditional artist, interpreting the Bible visually.

I began painting after viewing Colin McCahon's "Question of Faith" exhibition in the Auckland Art Gallery in 2003. This exhibition was first shown in Holland's Stedelijk Gallery, reputedly in the top 5 art museums in the world.

Colin McCahon (1919-87) was New Zealand's best artist, whose paintings sell in the millions. His outstanding contribution to art is his modernist treatment of text as art-object. His trademark white writing over black background, signifying the victory of Life over death, is unique in the history of art. He especially linked with tradition by making his texts Biblical, presenting the ancient in a modern style.

After his death, few artists carried on his revolution. I don't know of a single one who today is re-presenting the Bible in a modern way. So I have tried to carry on from Colin's ground-breaking work, developing a style of my own while staying faithful to his principles.

I have also been greatly influenced by the great American mid-century Abstract Expressionists, Pollock and Rothko, who in the 1950s made America the centre of world art. French Impressionism has also been an influence, especially Monet.

Artist Highlights

• Lives In:    New Zealand
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