Clive Fugill, Master Carver
Clive Fugill was one of seven students in the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institutes’ very first three-year carving course, which began in 1967. And he has remained there ever since.
Today the Institute is known as Te Puia and Fugill has been the Master Carver for 21 years. In total, he has been employed at Te Puia for an impressive 38 years and is the organisation’s longest serving member of staff.
Fugill developed his carving skills under the watchful eye of the Institute’s Master Carver at the time, Hone Taiapa. With the passing of Hone Taiapa, and the resignation of his successor, Tuti TeKaoKao, Fugill and two other classmates from that original course took over the Institute’s traditional carving programme.
He was appointed Master Carver when the other two senior carvers decided to follow other paths. Fugill was the graduate of honour for his intake and quickly learned how to pass on the knowledge and skills that had been imparted to him. He has now overseen the training of a whole generation of new carvers.
During his career Fugill has worked on numerous meeting houses and supervised on at least six. He has travelled the world demonstrating the art of whakairo (carving), including Japan, New Guinea, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, United States of America, Thailand, and throughout New Zealand.
He has completed pieces for royalty and heads of state, international and national dignitaries, and for many Maori kaumatua (elders) and his works are in many embassies throughout the world. He was also an original member of the Te Waka Toi Carvers Steering Committee.
Fugill is of Tainui and Ngati Ranginui tribal affiliations.
For further information:
Te Puia
Phone +64 7 348 9047
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