Ross Hemera is an established artist and designer whose practice honours and reflects the cultural and artistic traditions of his Ngāi Tahu iwi. His art expands such concepts as whakapapa, whenua, mana, taonga and whānau. His expertise includes Māori rock art, Ngāi Tahu visual and material culture and contemporary Māori art and design. Previously Ross was Professor of Māori Art and Design at the College of Creative Arts, Massey University and is a member of the Peer Review Panel for Māori Knowledge and Development, Tertiary Education Commission, He is a member of Ngā Aho, Network of Māori Design Professionals, and Paemanu, Ngāi Tahu Contemporary Visual Arts Trust.

Over his distinguished career, Ross has exhibited extensively, from the British Museum in London, 1988 to 9 works from “Horotea Ngā Tapuae I te Awa” in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery’s Huikaau exhibition, 2023. Commissions include: “Whakamarama” entranceway, Te Papa Tongarewa,1999, “Tuhituhi Whenua” mural, Christchurch Civic Building 2010, “Hau Hua Hue” sculpture, Otago University 2017, Waharoa, Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre, 2017, and Pūtoi o te Kāhu” panels, Archives New Zealand Building, Christchurch, 2018.

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