Chris van Doren

Chris Van Doren is of Niuean and Dutch descent and has resided in Wellington for the last three years. With a background in panel beating Chris utilises the skills of his trade to sculpt copper, stainless steel, wood and stone into three-dimensional forms that reflect movement and flow, with a contemporary pacific flavour.

Foutoa means ‘tree warrior’. He is Chris’s ancestor from Alofi North, Niue. Foutoa is his son Vaughn’s middle name. Vaughn is Chris’s first-born son and this is Chris’s first solo exhibition. Chris’s ancestors are depicted in the spirit masks, as they resemble spirits of the land. Tangaloa is the god of the sea. The paddles unite the spirits of the land and the god of the sea together as one.