Peter Bishop

Maori Style Artist Peter Bishop from New Zealand

New Zealand

Peter Bishop comes from the wild, west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. He is one of New Zealand’s best known and most skilled master carvers and works mostly in the very rare and exotic flower, Pounamu, (New Zealand Jade), creating designs with an extraordinary aura of power and beauty.

He lives with his wife in Holkitika, the centre of the Pounamu district of the west coast. Not only is he well known in the community for his skill but he is also highly respected as a leader and strong advocate for the preservation of ancient crafts. His designs often reflect what he believes is hidden inside a particular piece of Pounamu or what it tells him he should see.

Peter’s work is very traditional in form but carries with it his unmistakable flair for design, making carvings by this master instantly recognizable world wide.