Hawkes Bay artist Nic Tucker (Ngāi Tahi & Ngati Kahungunu) graduated from Dunedin School of Art in the early 90’s and went on to teach for over two decades.  She regards art to be an integral part of her life.  She has exhibited around New Zealand in various medium, and has awards in drawing, oils, photography, sculptural work and printmaking. Now a prolific printmaker, Nic has her woodblock prints in Galleries across the country.

“I have a passion for drawing and spend many hours refining the drawing of each piece before I begin carving the woodblocks. The carving process then creates its own energy in the final work.”

Nic’s printmaking process is an adaptation of Japanese Woodblock printing techniques, as taught by Marilyn Webb at the Dunedin School of Art in the early 90’s. Her works are created from multiple carved blocks each building on the other to create a single image. Each of the blocks are individually inked with colours mixed to give the work life, the blocks are each laid on the cotton-based paper, and then wound through the printing press layer upon layer, block after block, until the final image is revealed. 

 “I have worked and travelled around New Zealand, from the Deep south, where I was born, to the Far North, and lots of places in between.  Over my lifetime I have grown a deepening understanding and love for our country, our whakapapa, our connection to our land, a connection that as individuals we all have. This is the inspiration of my works. I translate my love of Aotearoa through this adapted woodblock technique.”  – Nic Tucker