I am a simple soul, I love art, it is one of the purest definitions of expression I have known to do.

I was not born with a paintbrush, rather I found it through my mother’s hands. I started painting with intention after University where I studied in Industrial Design. Before then, I created a lot in digital environments blending media and exploring medium. I wrote music, printed clothing and created jewellery, I still love these pieces dearly. I do believe elements of my design degree shine through in my work, I will forever love commissions for this reason.

Painting became something I couldn’t bottle up anymore, I had so many ideas and feelings I wanted to translate I had to let it all out. Kicking and screaming, the first few series fell out of me and I have never really stopped.

Through 2020-2023, Sheila [my Mother] and I opened up a small Art Gallery in the heart of Ōtautahi, Christchurch. If this was a dream, then they can come true, here I painted for many years before moving overseas. I learnt a lot about myself during this time, I fell more and more deeply in love with climbing, a sport I consider more a lifestyle which shaped the course of my art tremendously. I met amazing people, and shared feelings I never knew were possible through body and rock.

I noticed my art started to translate through movement and experience and that my paintings started to represent my surroundings. Textures became very visceral and colour sought to direct to emotion, I could feel Earth telling me what to paint rather than my own design.

I wrapped New Zealand up at the end of 2024 and moved to NAARM, Victoria to extend my practice as a creative. The city is big, the lights are bright and inspiration is nothing short of plenty. I am grateful to be here on this journey and look forward to collaborating in any way possible.

Love Max