George Tamihana Nuku  b. 1964

George Nuku is a highly regarded Maori Artist working in stone, bone, wood, shell, polystyrene and plastic.

His works range from delicate jade and pearl amulets, life size stone & plexiglass sculptures, through to multi-storey polystyrene Polynesian demi-gods and Maori culture heroes.

He carries the tradition of his people handed down for thousands of years, in an art form that promises to expand life and enhance survival.

He is well known both in New Zealand and internationally.

Collection of four jade carvings: two keros, a Heitiki, and a Pounamu/nephrite pendant, with vibrant green and blue hues, showcasing intricate designs and patterns.
Three seashell necklaces: a white silver pearlshell, an abalone seashell, and a gold pearlshell, all decorated with spiral designs and hanging on cords. The text indicates their names and materials: 'Hei matau', 'Reimiro', 'Rei moana', with descriptions of the pearlshell and abalone shells.
A man with extensive tattoos on his face, neck, and ear, dressed in a blue checkered shirt and a green jacket, standing in front of wooden and glass art pieces on a dark background.
Three handheld striking weapons: a carved wooden weapon resembling a frog, a purple glass bottle with a tied rope around its neck, and a whale bone carved with faces, all from indigenous cultures.
Photographs of large, life-size and monumental stone sculptures. One sculpture is a tall, weathered statue of a figure with a textured surface, partially submerged in water. Another sculpture depicts an intricate, abstract design carved into stone. A person wearing a headscarf is working on a stone sculpture outdoors, with a bus and open field in the background.
Three large stone sculptures of human figures and mythical creatures, displayed outdoors surrounded by trees and greenery.
Photos of large, intricate Polynesian sculptures and carvings, including a white monolithic statue, a large bust, a wooden figure with detailed facial features, and a close-up of a golden carved face, with the caption "Life size & monumental polystyrene sculptures."

(c)KHM-Museumsverband

Art & Life.

My name is George Tamihana Nuku, i am from Aotearoa/New Zealand. I am of Maori, Scot & German descent. I am presently based in Rouen, the ancient Ducal Capital of Normandy, France. From there I travel regularly, exposing my work through various art & cultural projects around the world.

My career from art began in 1986, carving bone, wood, stone & shell conveying traditional Maori art forms & motifs.

In 1990 I incorporated Polystyrene expanded foam and acrylic Plexiglass into my art practice and these man-made materials have shaped the course of my life's work. I continue to use the 'natural' materials also and in some cases fusing them together with the synthetic elements.

In 2006 I was included in a group exhibition titled 'Pasifika Styles' in the UK at the Cambridge University Museum of Archeaology and Anthropology. This exhibit featured contemporary artists responding to Museum ethnographic collections and environments – I brought to the UK, a full sized version of traditional Maori architecture carved from solid Plexiglass.

I had transformed customary Maori art and for me there was turning back.

Museums and Art institutions responded in turn, by inviting me to create projects in both the UK and Europe due to both my ability and tendency to use the 'new' materials with an 'old' approach.

This is all evident in my curriculum vitae. The years following my 2006 furor continue on, with a constant outpouring of work in Styrofoam and Plexiglass, pushing the boundaries of both the materials and myself.

Through these creative processes I have afforded myself a glimpse of the spirit, the nature, the character, and the nuanced qualities of the plastic material, it is a journey that I continue on...

A person with extensive facial and body tattoos, wearing a green earring and a black shawl, with hair styled in a topknot.
Person with body painted to resemble glowing green plant or alien figure standing in a room with illuminated green and blue patterned decorations, illuminated objects, and other art installations.
Text describing an artist's work and inspiration related to bottled ocean and marine life created from plastic bottles and other materials, discussing projects exhibited in Taipei and France.
Two images of art installations featuring glass sculptures designed to resemble marine life, including a fish and a coiled creature, with illuminated, decorated glass cubes and swirling patterns. The artwork is titled 'Bottled Ocean 2114' from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, Taiwan, created in 2014.
Installation artwork titled 'Bottled Ocean 2114' at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, Taiwan, created in 2014. The art features transparent, glowing sculptures and geometric mirrors.
Installation art titled 'Bottled Ocean 2116' at Pataka Art Museum, featuring clear plastic bottles arranged to resemble an underwater scene with fish and marine life, illuminated by colorful lighting.
An illuminated art installation of glass or plastic sharks glowing blue, displayed in two different views. The first view shows a close-up of a single shark, while the second view depicts a larger group of sharks hanging in a dark space. Caption indicates the artwork is called 'Bottled Ocean 2116' at Tjibaou Cultural Center in Nouméa, New Caledonia, created in 2016.
Two illuminated glass art installations titled 'Bottled Ocean 2116 - Te Ao Māori' at the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle, France, from 2016. The top piece resembles a bubble or underwater scene with intricate glasswork and blue lighting. The bottom piece features geometric and natural shapes with structured glass elements, including a central metallic or stone sculpture.
Photographs of Māori art resembling carved chairs and panels, featuring intricate patterns and faces, displayed at the Museo delle Culture & Kartell in Milan, Italy, 2016.
Art display titled 'Maori in Milan – The Ducal Salon of George Nuku' at Museo delle Culture & Kartell in Milan, Italy, 2016. It features a Maori-inspired face mask with feather and face motifs, illuminated transparent chairs, and light fixtures with shadow effects on the wall.
Three glass art sculptures: a red and white frog-shaped sculpture, a clear frog-shaped sculpture, and a clear animal figure resembling a rat or mouse, displayed against a dark background.
Glass art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2117' at the Kaohsiung Museum for Fine Art in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2017, featuring illuminated hanging glass sculptures of marine life like fish, jellyfish, and other ocean creatures in a room with vibrant blue and green lighting.
Art installation titled 'Bottled River - Monsanto Mokotuaro Mutation' at the EAST Art Biennale in Hastings City Art Gallery, Hastings, New Zealand, 2018. Features a winding river of white bottles with suspended origami fish, and a close-up of a detailed glass sculpture of a fish's head.
Sand sculpture of a medieval-style archway with a dragon or demon face at the top, featuring a bat-winged creature with an open mouth. The sculpture is detailed with intricate carved patterns and Latin inscriptions. Below, a colorful underwater-themed installation mimics a castle with columns and arches, illuminated with green and purple lights, and decorated with small fish sculptures.
Art installation at 'Manawa Moana' Tairawhiti art festival in Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, New Zealand, 2019, featuring glowing, translucent sculptures and structures made of resin or plastic illuminated with vibrant blue, purple, and red lighting.
Exhibition titled 'Bottled Ocean 2119' at SMEDAR recycle plant in Normandy, France, features artistic installations of illuminated sculptures and suspended sculptures resembling aquatic life, creating an underwater scene with colorful lights and shadows.
Two illuminated glass sculptures resembling ocean scenes, one in blue and the other in green, displayed in a museum with a dark background.
Glowing, intricate light sculpture titled 'Bottled Ocean 2120' resembling a sea of islands with purple and blue LEDs, displayed at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Netherlands.
Illuminated glass sculptures of marine life, including fish and coral, displayed as part of the 'Bouteille à la mer - Te Ao Maori' exhibit at the Geneva Museum in Switzerland, 2020.
Two display cases showcasing Māori cultural artifacts, including carved wooden figures, woven items, and bird specimens, with traditional motifs and designs, part of an exhibit at the Museum of Geneva in Switzerland, 2020.
Intricate Maori-style carved wooden panel with symmetrical face design, displayed in a museum exhibit.
Exhibition displays Maori artwork, including a large carved wooden frame with a traditional painting of Maori people and a dance, alongside framed pictures of Maori people and scenes, in a museum in Rochefort, France, 2021.
Exhibition display titled 'Voyage autour du Monde - L'aventure Maori de Dumont d'Urville' at Musée Hebre de Saint Clément, Rochefort, France, 2021, featuring Maori-inspired art and historical photography.
People working on creating intricate white sculptures, with one group assembling a large carved panel and another working on a large white textured installation, both in art gallery settings.
Photographs of art exhibits at Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria, from the 'Oceans Collections Reflections' for 2022-23. The top exhibit features ocean-inspired sculptures with blue and orange accents, and the bottom exhibit displays artistically painted and decorative objects with ornate frames and detailed craftsmanship.
Exhibit artwork with illuminated glass carvings and sculptures from the 'Oceans Collections Reflections' display at Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria, 2022-23, featuring maritime folk art and glass crafts.
Multiple glass sculptures resembling viruses, suspended from ceilings in an art installation. The sculptures are decorated with colorful spikes in red, blue, and green, and are displayed within a grand, historic building with marble columns and ornate architectural details. The installation is titled 'Oceans Collections Reflections' at the Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria.
Exhibit titled 'Bottled Ocean 2123' featuring seashell and ocean-themed sculptures and artwork, with visitors observing the display in a pavilion dedicated to ecological transitions in Rouen, France, 2023.
People working on art projects inside and outside the Volcano Art Centre in Hawaii, with hanging recycled plastic bottles and intricate paper artwork.
Three images of art installations featuring colorful, intricate, octopus-inspired sculptures. The sculptures are displayed on walls and tables, with some sections including photographs and abstract designs. The art is titled 'Bottled Ocean 2124' and is part of selected installations at the Kilohana Academic Success Centre, University of Hawaii, Hilo Campus, 2024.
Images of art installations from the exhibition 'Bottled Sea 2124' by George Nuku, taking place at the Musée du Masque de Fer et du Fort Royal in Cannes, France, 2024. The first image shows a blue-lit underwater-themed sculpture with art on the walls, and the second shows a room with glass sculptures and framed artwork.
Progress of the 'Bottled Ocean 2124' exhibition at 'Planet Utopia' Children's Art Biennale in Dresden, Germany, showcasing the installation process of large, colorful marine-themed sculptures and intricate blue panels with ocean-inspired patterns.
Photos from the 'Palace of Potential' exhibition and the 'Planet Utopia' Children's Art Biennale in Dresden, Germany, taken in 2024. The images show workers constructing intricate, golden ornamental screens and decor, as well as a gallery space displaying these ornate screens and framed artwork on walls.
Series of images showing artists creating and installing intricate transparent sculptures for the 'Whare Tu-Ahuahu' Exhibition at Foundation Opale in Lens, Switzerland, 2024. The sculptures feature elaborate swirling patterns and geometric designs, with scenes of craftsmanship and assembly.
Glass art installation titled 'Manutapu' at the Humboldt Forum, Berlin, Germany, 2025, featuring intricate, swirling patterns and tribal motifs.
Contemporary art display at the Manatunga Exhibition, Humboldt Forum, Berlin, Germany, 2024, featuring glass panels with white line illustrations of human figures and brain anatomy, and geometric patterned black and white structures.
Exhibition display of carved wooden figures framed by clear acrylic borders with intricate patterns, presented at the 'Manatunga' Exhibition at Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, 2025.
Three photos of artists creating a mural at an art exhibition titled 'Bottled Ocean 2125' at Caixaforum in Madrid, Spain, 2025. The first photo shows an empty white room with black ceiling beams. The second photo depicts an artist drawing on the wall wearing an orange vest and cap. The third photo shows the completed mural with two artists working on it, one on a ladder and another painting near a corner, with a cherry picker in the room.
Photographs of the 'Bottled Ocean 2125' exhibit at Caixaforum in Barcelona, Spain, 2025, showing people working on and viewing an intricate, illuminated art installation resembling a large, stylized ocean creature or object made of transparent, glowing materials.
Installation art piece titled 'Seahenge Axis Mundi' with circular, maze-like structure made of white material, adorned with dark, twisted wooden branches extending outward in various directions, displayed in an art gallery.
Large art installation titled 'Calamar Géant Diversité' at Galerie L'etabli in Rouen, France, 2026. It features whimsical, colorful squid-like sculptures hanging from the ceiling, made of vibrant materials with dotted patterns.

Artworks

Photographs of a hand-carved plexiglass sculpture titled 'Te Kotaha 2025,' made with Paua and Haliotis shell, inspired by a Kotaha whip-sling artifact. The sculpture is displayed in an exhibition setting, with the background showing the words 'VOICES OF THE PACIFIC' in large decorative fonts and other exhibits.
Three black plexiglass sculptures inspired by Heikiti or Rei Niho, featuring intricate carved and assembled designs with symbols and patterns. The sculptures are displayed against a dark background.
Three black Heitiki amulets made from plexiglass and Corian, featuring Heitiki forms with gold-lipped pearl shells and black waxed polyester cordage, each showing a stylized humanoid face with large eyes and a carved body, displayed against a red background.
Four carved Heitiki amulets made from gold and silver-lipped pearl-shell, inlaid with red sealing wax and Paua/Haliotis/Blue Abalone shell, finished with brown colored waxed polyester cordage and bone toggles, 2025.
Collection of six jewelry adornments made from pearl shells, inlaid with red sealing wax, featuring Paua, Haliotis, and Blue Abalone shells, with intricate carved designs and cords for wearing.
Three carved shells with detailed designs and embedded shells, resembling tiki figures. The shells are labeled as heitiki, marakihau, beefone, and paua shell inlay.
Collage of six necklaces made from abalone shell, featuring various shapes such as leaves, fan-like, and abstract designs, all strung on rope or cord, with each piece showcasing iridescent, colorful shell patterns.
A set of three jewelry pieces featuring iridescent large shell or nacre components. The top shows a wide necklace with intricate shell segments and red cord, displayed against a dark background. The bottom left features a shell pendant on a red cord, and the bottom right displays a pair of shell earrings, also on red cords, all against a dark backdrop.

Outreach and public programming.

Top: Children watching a science demonstration about an underwater scene with hanging jellyfish and large plastic bottle sculptures; the scene is illuminated in blue. Bottom left: Man with a straw hat and tattoos sitting at a desk with scissors and craft supplies, presenting to children. Bottom right: Man with a straw hat and tattoos demonstrating a science activity with a young boy playing a game. Caption: Bottled Ocean 2116 at Pataka Art Museum, Porirua, NZ, 2016.
Two images of young women working on artistic projects with plastic bottles. The first shows a woman closely examining hanging transparent bottles, and the second shows three women assembling a structure with clear plastic bottles and intricate white framework at the Tjibaou Cultural Center in New Caledonia.
People working on creating artwork with large blue and white swirling patterns at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Art in Taiwan, 2017.
Four photos of people constructing and decorating large art installations made of plastic bottles and clear plastic sheets, creating abstract ocean-inspired sculptures in an indoor space.
Children exploring an interactive ocean-themed exhibit with glowing, translucent decorations, illuminated in blue and green lighting, at 'Bottled Ocean 2118' in Napier, New Zealand, 2018.
People assembling a glass art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2120 - A Sea of Islands' at the Masterpieces of Oceania Museum in Leiden, Netherlands, 2020.
Two photos of an immersive art installation at the Museum of Geneva, Switzerland, titled 'Bouteille à la mer - Te Ao Maori,' featuring ocean-themed sculptures and decorations in blue, with a person walking through.
Text document with a response about an art project involving collecting plastic bottles to create awareness about ocean pollution, attributed to Guillermo Soulard at the Centre Culturel Tjibaou in New Caledonia.
Text document about an art exhibition at the Natural History Museum of La Rochelle, France, featuring works by artist George Nuku inspired by Polynesian cultural heritage and ecological themes, including a mention of a Polynesian ceremonial platform, a funeral procession with fish, whales, and jellyfish, and the artist's background and craft philosophy.
Page of text discussing Maori art, cultural history, and exhibitions at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Cambridge.
Text excerpt describing Nicholas Thomas's work on indigenous and colonial art, including Maori art, Native Australian art, and ocean-themed installations, emphasizing cultural exchange and artistic innovation.
A detailed sculpture of a colonial officer with a serious expression, dressed in a navy uniform with medals, in front of a framed historical artwork depicting a man with a goat's head in a formal setting surrounded by other colonial and indigenous artifacts.
A framed artwork depicting a stylized portrait of a person with white, spiky hair on a dark background, surrounded by a decorative silver border and an ornate silver arch with red accents in a black gallery space.
A magazine page featuring an article about artist George Tamihana Nuku, with multiple images including a colorful, framed art piece, a black and white historical photograph, and a group portrait of people in Maori ceremonial costumes and face paint.

Links

https://vimeo.com/235862761

https://vimeo.com/150240322

https://www.pataka.org.nz/george-nuku-bottled-ocean-2116/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyq5VDWRk44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUmIYStGuVs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4tlyGhNsIw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6rfWj0m1QQvidéo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omhlEZlcZY4&sns=fb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omhlEZlcZY4&sns=fb

https://f.io/z_4f2wGt

https://repatriates.org/australia/george-nuku-on-the-spirited-response-to-repatriation-of-ancestors/

next.frame.io HuFo_Nuku_251027.mp4 - HuFo_Nuku_251027 - Frame.io

A man with extensive tattoos poses in front of a large, intricate white Maori-style carved wooden structure decorated with colorful feathers and adorned with a tiki face in an outdoor setting.
A person with extensive tattoos covering their arms and chest, holding carved wooden knives in each hand, and holding ornate glass blades in front of their face. Their facial expression is intense with an open mouth, possibly yelling or screaming, and their hair appears to have traditional Polynesian style markings.
Glass art sculpture titled 'Bottled Ocean 2114' displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, Taiwan, created in 2014. The sculpture features intricate, clear geometric and ornamental designs.
A page of text discussing environmental issues related to plastic bottles, water, and climate change. It mentions melting polar ice caps, plastic pollution, and future water crises.
Exhibition titled 'Bottled Ocean 2115' at Museum de Rouen showing illuminated sculptures of ocean-related objects, including a large bottle and fish, with visitors observing the displays.
Art installation at Pataka Art Museum, titled 'Bottled Ocean 2116', showing illuminated jellyfish sculptures and hanging geometric shapes, with visitors observing.
Art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2116' at Tjibaou Cultural Center in Nouméa, New Caledonia, 2016. Features illuminated blue plastic sculptures of jellyfish and marine life made from recycled bottles.
Art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2116 - Te Ao Maori' at the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle, France, 2016, depicting a stylized figure with a face and horns, created with illuminated, intricate lines.
Three pieces of Maori-inspired transparent acrylic furniture: a small table with a decorative lamp, a shelving unit with traditional carving patterns, and a bench with Maori spiral and face carvings, all set against a black background.
Two images of furniture: a glass table with transparent chairs around it in a gallery setting, featuring artistic lighting and reflections. The second image shows a similar setting from a lower angle, highlighting the clear chairs and table, with a wall featuring artwork behind.
Two photographs of transparent, intricately designed chairs and furniture pieces. The top photo is in color, showing three chairs with elaborate carved patterns, and some partially visible objects. The bottom photo is in black and white, displaying a modern, artistic transparent bench with a tall, decorative backrest featuring spiral and geometric designs. The images are part of an exhibition called 'Nuku for Kartell' at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France, from 2017.
A glowing, intricate art installation called 'Bottled Ocean 2117' at the Kaohsiung Museum for Fine Art in Taiwan, 2017. It features a large vertical structure with detailed swirling patterns resembling ocean life, glowing in green and blue lights, surrounded by suspended fish shapes. Visitors are seen observing the piece in a dimly lit room.
Reflective glass window with the words 'Bottled River' and 'Monsanto Mokotuaro Mutation' etched in it, showing outdoor trees, a blue sky, and cars in the background.
Museum exhibit titled 'Bottle at the Sea 2119' at the Museum of Natural History in Bourges, France, 2019. Features underwater-themed sculptures, statues, and decorative elements.
A large red floral sculpture resembling a heart, displayed at the Tairawhiti art festival in Gisborne, New Zealand, 2019.
Colorful, illuminated sculpture resembling a whale house, part of the Climate Ocean exhibition at the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle, France, 2019.
Two images showing an art exhibit called 'Bottled Ocean 2120' at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Netherlands, 2020. The exhibit features illuminated sculptures of marine life, submarine objects, and underwater scenes with vibrant, glowing colors, with visitors observing and engaging with the displays.
Colorful glass installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2120' depicting a sea of islands with vibrant lights at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Netherlands, from 2020.
Colorful glass art installation at the Musée de Genève, resembling a large bottle with intricate geometric patterns, illuminated in vibrant blue, green, purple, and yellow lights.
Display of traditional Maori carved wooden figures and woven artifacts at the Musée de Genève, including a large carved figure with feathers, a mask, and a woven box, from New Zealand, 2020.
An art installation of a Maori doll with a woven straw skirt in front of a glass panel with etched facial features and eyes, set inside a display case.
Painting of a Māori man holding a fish, with a spear and traditional clothing, standing outdoors with a farm building in the background, surrounded by a decorative gold frame.
A carved wooden bust of a man dressed in a military uniform with medals, with green tribal face paint, set against a decorative background. The display is part of an exhibit at the Musée Hébre de Saint-Clément in Rochefort, France.
Top image: People working on an intricate white wall art installation at a workshop, using colored elements on the wall. Bottom image: Three people assembling a large sculpture made of green glass bottles outdoors, with classical columns and a park in the background.
Interior views of the 'Oceans Collections Reflections' exhibit at the Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria, 2022-23. The exhibit features green walls decorated with marine life artwork and sculptures, glass display cases with artifacts, and a large marine-themed sculpture in the center.
The top image shows illuminated signs with abstract designs and text in German and English about ownership of the world. The bottom image features a display with a person wearing a tribal mask with earrings and adornments, and several traditional-looking objects on the wall around them. The display is part of the 'Oceans Collections Reflections' exhibit at the Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria, from 2022-23.
Exhibition display at the Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria, titled 'Oceans Collections Reflections,' 2022-23, featuring illuminated art installations of whale-like sculptures and traditional African masks.
Exhibition artwork titled 'Bottled Ocean 2123' at the National Museum of Scotland, featuring multiple scenes of a large art installation made of plastic bottles and illuminated with blue and green lights, depicting underwater scenes and sea creatures.
Exhibition room with ocean-themed art installations, including large sculptures of umbrellas covered in colorful bottle caps, hanging fish sculptures, and intricate sea shell and wave patterns. Blue fabric drapes and lighting evoke underwater scenes at the 'Bottled Ocean 2123' - 'Strength of Water' Exhibition at Volcano Art Centre, Hawaii, 2023.
People assembling and viewing a large, intricate, transparent art sculpture resembling a bottled ocean scene at the Nautil'art Exhibition in Rouen, France, 2023.
Three photos of an art exhibit featuring sculptures made from glass bottles, arranged like sea creatures, with framed artwork on the wall behind. The display includes a large, sea-inspired sculpture composed of bottles and colorful decorations, with fish and sea creature motifs.
Three photos of a vibrant underwater-themed art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2124' at the Planet Utopia Children's Art Biennale in Dresden, Germany, 2024. The installation features illuminated whale sculptures, marine life, and intricate blue and green patterns creating an oceanic environment.
An art gallery titled 'Palace of Potential' at the 'Planet Utopian' Children's Art Biennale in Dresden, Germany, 2024. The gallery features colorful, abstract portrait paintings with ornate gold frames, a unique spherical chandelier, and modern seating.
Installation art piece titled 'Whare Tu-Ahuahu' Exhibition: 'Nothing too beautiful for the Gods' at Foundation Opale in Lens, Switzerland, 2024. The artwork features intricate, transparent, and illuminated结构s with elaborate swirling patterns and reflections.
An ice sculpture of a mythological figure holding a wooden staff. The sculpture is detailed and is displayed at the Kunstlerishe Interventonen exhibition in Mana Tongga.
Glass display case with unique white line art patterns, part of the 'Manatungga' Exhibition at Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, 2025.
Glass art installation titled 'Manatunga' depicting stylized human figures with intricate patterns, displayed at Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, 2025.
Mixed images from the 'Bottled Ocean 2125' exhibition titled 'Voices of the Pacific' at Caixaforum in Madrid, Spain, 2025. The images show a woman in a red safety jacket working on glass art installations, including water simulations, wall-mounted decorations, and hanging glass sculptures with intricate designs and underwater themes.
An installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2125' at the 'Voices of the Pacific' exhibition in Caixaforum, Barcelona, Spain, 2025. The artwork features a large, glowing, blue, sculptural representation of an ocean environment with intricate, illuminated, organic shapes and figures resembling sea creatures, set against a backdrop of decorative, swirling patterns.
An art installation titled 'Seahenge Axis Mundi' from the 'Out of the Depths' exhibition at GroundWork Gallery in King's Lynn, UK, 2026. The installation features a large circular maze-like structure with wooden branches protruding from its edges, casting intricate shadows on the floor.
Colorful installation of large, abstract sea creatures, including a giant squid covered in multicolored caps and fish, made of various materials, displayed on the ceiling of a gallery.
A collection of hand-carved transparent plexiglass Maori weaponry called Patutapu Plexiglass 2025, with intricate designs, red sealing wax, and shells, finished in red and black waxed polyester cordage and white feathers.
Two Māori weaponry pieces made from black plexiglass, adorned with pearl-shell inlays. The top piece is a long, intricately carved weapon with a feather attached, while the bottom two are carved pouches or containers with stylized handles, each decorated with feathers and a small pearl-shell element. All are finished in beige-colored waxed polyester cordage and brown feathers, crafted by Kotiate and Maripi in 2025.
Two pairs of black plexiglass pendants with carved Heitiki, Koropepe, and Pekepeka designs, each on a black cord with bone toggle fasteners, laid on a shiny textured surface.
Collection of four carved pendants depicting a whale, made from pearl, bone, and blue plexiglass, with a common clockwise heitiki design.
Four amulet pendants carved from black and silver-lipped pearl shell, featuring intricate swirling designs and inlaid with red acrylic and Paua, Haliotis, or Blue Abalone shell. Each pendant is finished with black waxed polyester cord and pearl-shell toggles, taken in 2025.
Two ivory carvings of whale fins, labeled as 'Rei Niho Paraoa', one depicting a wild boar and the other a sperm whale, both created in 2014.
Collection of five shell necklaces with various shapes and designs, featuring iridescent, colourful shells, displayed against a dark background.

Breast Ornaments carved from Abalone and Pearl shell.

A black plexiglass mask titled 'Wheku/Mask' from 2026, featuring Paua/Haliotis shells, Pearl Shell, and Bone inlay, designed to resemble a fierce face with sharp teeth and multiple eyes.
Children at Tjibaou Cultural Center in New Caledonia making art with plastic bottles, creating bottle sculptures.
People painting and installing blue ocean-themed murals on white walls inside the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle, France, in 2016.
Children sitting on the floor and looking at art installations in a gallery, with some of them covering their mouths. The art includes plastic bottles and containers transformed into marine life, such as fish, and skull-like objects. A woman is standing with arms crossed in the background.
Two groups of people working on a Tairawhiti art festival project called 'Manawa Moana' in Gisborne, New Zealand, 2019. The top image shows children and adults assembling a large heart-shaped art piece made of red flowers or beads in an indoor space. The bottom image shows children and adults at a table sorting and assembling green plastic bottles in an indoor space with large windows.
Volunteers working on the completion of a colorful, illuminated art installation at the Musée de Genève, Switzerland, 2020. The installation features multiple glass and light elements, creating an immersive underwater scene.
Exhibit called 'Bottled Ocean 2122' at Thesus Temple, Volksgarten in Vienna, Austria, displayed with hanging glass or plastic marine creatures and illuminated setup, with visitors observing and taking photos.
Images showing groups of people participating in a glass art workshop, creating installations with recycled glass bottles, part of the 'Manantunga' exhibition project at Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, 2025.
Text about George Nuku, Maori artist, highlighting his work with indigenous knowledge and contemporary art across New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, focusing on cultural heritage, environmental issues, and collaborative social art practices.
A textual description of a curator's statement about an art exhibition titled 'A Sea of Islands - Masterpieces from Oceania', featuring works from Oceania organized in four themes: water, making place, remembering, and encounters, including large canoes, navigation aids, sculptures, and site-specific art addressing cultural identity, colonization, and climate change. It details collaboration efforts, community projects involving plastic bottle art, media coverage, and the recognition of George Nuku's work.
Page of text discussing contemporary art exhibitions, cultural projects involving Maori and Pacific Islander artists, and museum initiatives led by George Nuku.
Article titled "Oceans. Collections. Reflections. George Nuku" at Weltmuseum Wien, discussing museum curation, Oceania collections, and George Nuku's exhibition.
Display of acrylic glass and PET bottles filled with shells and decorative objects, arranged on a transparent, curvy table, with intricate woodwork and framed pictures visible in the background.
A display with a white sculpture of a face and outstretched arms mounted on the wall above a framed black and white portrait of George Nuku. The display features intricate, decorative patterns on side panels.
A person using scissors to cut into a plastic bottle, which has an art installation of a small blue plastic shark inside.
Man with traditional Polynesian tattoos kneeling indoors, holding a spear, wearing red cloth, next to a large Polynesian-style carved wooden sculpture.

Biography

• 'Te Ohonga' Exhibition - Auckland War Memorial Museum. Auckland, Aotearoa / NZ. (1986)

• Solo and groups shows at Te Taumata and Mataora as Art Galleries, Archill Gallery, Maunga Whau, Compendium,

Gallery Pacific, Strange Cargo gallery, El Puente gallery - Auckland, Aotearoa / NZ. (1990 - 2000)

• 'Te Urupatu' Maori contemporary art exhibition. Ruatoki, Aotearoa / NZ (1995)

• 'Te Ohonga Ake' exhibition - World indigenous youth conference. Waitangi, Aotearoa /NZ.(1998)

• Waitangi Day celebration exhibitions and Pasifika Cultural Festivals. Aotearoa / NZ . (1990 –2000)

• Museum of Zootermeer. Zootermeer, Netherlands. (2001)

• Featured Artist in One Giant Leap Documentary. London, UK (2002)

• Headquarters of National Geographic Office. Washington DC, USA. (2003)

• 'Trespassers will be eaten' exhibition - Riviera gallery. New York City, USA. (2004)

• Exhibition - United Nations permanent forum indigenous people. New York City, USA.(2004)

• 'Pasifika Styles' exhibition - Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Cambridge. Cambridge, UK. (2006-2008)

• 'Pacific Encounters: Art & Divinity in Polynesia 1760-1860' - Resource room, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Norwich, UK. (2006)

• 'Power & Taboo' exhibition - British Museum. London, UK. (2007)

• 'Pacific Treasures: Cook collections from the Kuntskamera, St. Petersburg' - Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. Middlesbrough, UK. (2008)

• 'The Pacific Style of George Nuku' exhibition - Captain Cook Birthplace Museum.Middlesbrough, UK. (2008)

• 'Mana Waka' exhibition - Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. Middlesbrough UK. (2008)

• Exhibition Riverside Studios. London, UK. (2009)

• NZ Room @ Venice, Venice Biennale. Venice, Italy. (2009)

• 'Ethknowcentrix-Museum inside the Artist' exhibition - October Gallery. London, UK. (2009)

• 'James Cook and the Exploration of the Pacific'- Kunstund Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik. Bonn, Germany. (August 2009)

• 'Skin' exhibition - Wellcome Trust. London, UK. (June – September 2010)

• Felix Pakhuis - Antwerp, Belgium (2010)

• 'Mana Maori' - Museum Volkenkunde. Leiden, UK. (2010-2011)

• ‘Face à Face’ exhibition - Galerie Meyer. Paris, France. (October 2011)

• 'House of Taonga' - @ Moa Room. Paris, France. (October 2011)

• 'Maori' - Linden Museum. Stuttgart, Germany. (April-September 2012)

• 'Te Ao - les sept éléments de la lumière'- Église St. Roch – Paris, France. (June-September2012)

• Frieze Masters - London , UK.( 9-14 October 2012)

• 'Te Ao Marama, - World of Light' Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Art. Kaohsiung, Taiwan. (November 2012)

• Milano School of Fine Arts / Fondation Mimondo, Castle Skorzeny. Milan, Italy. (May 2013)

• Museum of Anthropology - University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway. (December 2012)

• 'Te Ao Wairua Spirit World' - Museum of Anthropology. Vancouver, Canada. (July 2013)

• Festival of New Zealand – Amsterdam, Netherlands. (May 2014)

• 'Atua' Exhibition - National Gallery of Australia. Canberra, Australia. (June 2014)

• Tulalip, Cultural Center - Seattle, USA. (July 2014)

• Parcours des Mondes - Galerie Meyer. Paris, France. (September 2014)

• 'Atua' Exhibition - Saint Louis Art Museum. Saint Louis, USA. (October 2014)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2114' - Pulima' festival' Museum of Contemporary Art. Taïpei, Taiwan.(November 2014)

• 'Mata o te Whenua' Hastings City Art gallery. Hastings, Aotearoa / NZ. (March 2015)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2115' - Muséum de Rouen. Rouen, France. (May 2015)

• 'Gold and Greenstone' - Gold Coast Art Center. Queensland, Australia. (June 2015)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2115' - European Society For Oceanists. Brussels, Belgium. (July 2015).

• COP 21 - Paris climate change conference, UNESCO HQ, Paris (November 2015)

• 'Bottled ocean 2116' - Te Pataka Art & Museum. Porirua, Aotearoa / NZ.( February 2016)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2116' - Tijbaou Cultural Centre. Nouméa, New Caledonia. (July 2016)

• ‘Nuku for Kartell’, Museo delle Culture & Kartell company, Milan, Italy. (Sept 2016)

• ‘Bottled Ocean 2116 / Te Ao Maori’, Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle, France. (October 2016)

• ‘Tù, des baleines et des hommes’, Centre Culturel Tjibaou, Nouméa, New Caledonia. (February 2017)

• ‘Tangaroa Atea’, Auckland City, Aotearoa/NZ. ( March 2017)

• 'Nuku for Kartell' - 'Design Days exposition - Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Paris, France.(May 2017)

• ‘Before Pacific’ - Musée du Quai Branly. Paris, France. (June 2017)

• ‘Bottled Ocean 2117’ - University of New Caledonia. Nouméa, New Caledonia. (July 2017)

• 'Mokorococo’ - Journées du Patrimoine - Muséum de Rouen, France (September 2017)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2117 - Kaohsiung Museum Fine Art. Kaohsiung, Taïwan. (October2017)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2118' - Panorama XXL. Rouen, France. (March 2018)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2118' - Taitung land art festival. Taitung, Taiwan.(June 2018)

• 'Bottled River - Monsanto Mokotuararo Mutation' - EAST Art Biennale, Hastings City Art gallery. Hastings, Aotearoa / NZ. (August 2018)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2118' - MTG Napier, Aotearoa / NZ. (August 2018)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2119' - COP 21 Atelier, Métropole de Rouen. Rouen, France. (February 2019)

• 'Maori Markings - Ta Moko' - National Gallery of Australia. Canberra, Australia. (March 2019)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2119' - Museum d’Histoire Naturelle de Bourges, France. (April 2019)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2119' - Sustainable Solutions exhibition, Green school. Bali, Indonesia. (May 2019)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2119' - Francopholies de La Rochelle. France (July 2019)

• 'Manawa Moana' - Tairawhiti art festival. Turanganui aa Kiwa/ Gisborne, Aotearoa/ NZ. (October 2019)

• 'Whare Tohora' - Climat Ocean exhibition, Musée Maritime de La Rochelle. La Rochelle, France. (November 2019)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2120' - 'A Sea of islands – Masterpieces of Oceania' exhibition - Museum Volkenkunde. Leiden, Netherlands. (February 2020)

• 'Te Mana o Ruawharo' - Ngati Kahungunu exhibition 'Tika Tonu' - Hastings City Art Gallery. Hastings, Aotearoa / NZ. (July 2020)

• 'Maori vitrine' - Musée d’Ethnographie de Genève. Geneva, Switzerland. (September 2020)

• 'Bouteille à la mer / Te Ao Maori' - Museum de Genève. Geneva, Switzerland (September 2020)

• 'Autour du Monde – L’aventure Maori de Dumont d’ Urville' - Musée Hèbre de Saint Clément. Rochefort, France. (May 2021)

• 'Baleine, de Bangudae à La Rochelle - Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle. La Rochelle, France. (May 2021)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2122' - Thesus Temple, Volksgarden. Vienna, Austria. (June 2022)

• 'Oceans. Collections. Reflections' - Weltmuseum Wien. Vienna, Austria. (June 2022)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2123' - Pavillion des Transitions écologiques. Rouen, France. (March 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2123' - 'Rising Tide' Exhibition - National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland. (July 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2123' - 'Worth of Water' exhibition - Volcano Art Centre. Hawaii, USA. (August 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2123' - 'Nautil'art' exhibition - Halles aux Toiles. Rouen, France. (September 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2123' - Keiki Children's Museum Kona. Hawaii, USA.(October 2123)

• 'Face à Face' - Migrant exhibition - Maison Saint-Sever. Rouen, France. (February 2024)

• 'Kanaloa Whekenui' - Selected Works, University of Hawaii Hilo Campus. Hawaii ,USA. (March 2024)

• 'Bottled Sea 2124 – L'Univers plastique de George Nuku' - Musée du Masque de Fer et du Fort Royal. Cannes, France. (May 2024)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2124 & Palace of Potential' - Panet Utopia Children's Art Bienalle. Dresden, Germany. (June 2024)

• 'The Vanishing Maori Show' presents - 'A Joint Reflection' - University of East Anglia. Norwich, U.K. (October 2024)

• 'Whare Tu-Ahuahu' - 'Nothing too Beautiful for the Gods' exhibition - Opale Foundation. Lens, Switzerland. (December 2024)

• 'Manatunga' – Humboldt Forum. Berlin, Germany. (May 2025)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2125' - 'Voices of the Pacific' exhibition - Caixaforum. Madrid, Spain. (May 2025)

•'Bottled Ocean 2125' - 'Voices of the Pacific' exhibition - Caixaforum. Barcelona, Spain. (November 2025)

•'Kotaha' - 'Voices of the Pacific' exhibition - Caixaforum. Barcelona, Spain. (November 2025)

•'Seahenge Axis Mundi' - 'Out of the Depths' exhibition - Groundwork Gallery. King’s Lynn, ,UK (March 2026)

•'Calamar Géant Diversité' - '4K’art' exhibition - Galerie L'etabli. Rouen, France (April 2026)

Future projects/exhibitions

•'Serenissima Perspicace' - 'Fissures of Light - Diaspora in Fa Minor' exhibition - 61st Venice Biennale, Palazzo Donà dalle Rose. (May 2026)

•'Whare Tupuna' - Musée du quai Branly Jacques Chirac. Paris, France. (May 2026)

•'Bottled Ocean 2126' - 'Voices of the Pacific' exhibition - ‘City of Culture’ - Santiago de Compostela, Spain. (June 2026)

Permanent installations/collections

• ’Patoo Patoo Pasifika’, ‘ Pare-Hinenuitepo’ - Cambridge University Museum of Arch & Anth. UK. (2006)

• 'Heru' - Cuming Museum, London, UK. (2008)

• 'Te Aonehe' - British Museum, London, UK. (2008)

• 'Hei Tiki' - 'Polynésie: arts et divinités 1760-1860' - Musée du Quai Branly. Paris, France. (2008)

• 'Tutira' - Permanent outdoor stone sculpture installation - Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. Middlesbrough, UK (2009)

• 'Living & Dying' - Wellcome Trust Gallery - British Museum. London, UK. (2009)

• 'Tewhatewha' - Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. Middlesbrough, UK. (2010)

• 'Whare Toa' - Permanent installation for Mokomokai - Institute for Social and Cultural Anthropology,

Georg- August University. Gottingen, Germany. (2010)

• 'Te Hononga Wakataua' - National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. (June 2011)

• 'Whare Tupuna', - Museum an de Stroom. Antwerp, Belgium. (2011)

• 'Outer space Marae' - Linden Museum. Stuttgart, Germany. (2011)

• 'Océanie' - Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Rouen. Rouen, France. (2011)

• 'Te Ao Marama' - Cambridge university Museum of Archeaology & Anthropology, Cambridge. UK. (2012)

• 'Pukaea' - Permanent stone sculpture installation, Wereld Museum. Leiden, Netherlands. (2012)

• 'Heitiki' - Florence Nightingale Museum. London, UK (2012)

• 'Te Korowai o Ruatapuwahine' - Omahu Marae. Omahu, Aotearoa/NZ. (2014)

• 'Heitiki' - National Gallery of Australia. Canberra, Australia. (2014)

• 'Heitiki' - Saint Louis Art Museum. Saint Louis, USA. (2014)

• 'Mata o te Whenua' - Hastings City Art gallery. Aotearoa / NZ. (March 2015)

• ́Waka’, permanent collection, - Druckereimueseum und Schaudepot im benary-Speicher. Urfurt, Germany (July 2015)

• Permanent Collection, selection of works - Tjibaou Cultural Centre. Nouméa, New Caledonia. (2017)

• Permanent Collections, selection of works - Museum La Rochelle. France. (2017)

• Permanent collections - Kartell Museo. Milan, Italy. (2017)

• ‘Pou ora’ - Hawke’s Bay Hospital. Aotearoa / NZ (August 2018)

• Permanent Collections - Museum of Bourges. France (April 2019)

• ‘Bottled Ocean’ Permanent Collections - Smédar. Rouen, France (November 2019)

• 'Maori Vitrine' - Musée d'Ethnographie de Gèneve. Geneva, Switzerland. (September 2020)

• ‘L’astrolabe’ & ‘Voyage autour du Monde' - Musée Hèbre de Saint-Clèment. Rochefort, France. (May 2021)

• 'Whare Tohora' - Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle. La Rochelle, France. (May 2021)

• 'Wakapounamu' - Weltmuseum Wien. Vienna, Austria. (June 2022)

• 'Whekenui' - Metropole Rouen Normandie. Rouen, France. (March 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean' elements – National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland. (July 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean' elements – Volcano Arts Centre. Hawaii, USA. (August 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean' elements – Keiki Children's Museum. Hawaii, USA. (October 2023)

• 'Bottled Ocean' elements - Musée du Masque de fer et Fort Royal. Cannes, France. (May 2024)

• 'Manatunga' elements – Humboldt Forum. Berlin, Germany (May 2025)

Publications

Magazines:

• In Style (NZ), Mana (NZ), NZ Fashion Quarterly, Vogue(USA), Elle (USA) Cosmopolitan(France),

A supplement booklet on The House of Taonga CASA magazine (Italy), GQ New York, Elle (France).

Journals:

• Museum Ethnology Group Journal (2009)

• Pacific Arts Association Journal (2009)

• Routhledge World Art Journal (2010)

Catalogues:

• 'Pasifika Styles, Artists inside the Museum' - Cambridge University, Museum of Archeology and anthropology.

Cambridge, UK. (2008)

• 'Pulima Art Award', 2nd edition - Museum of Contemporary Art. Taipei, Taiwan. (2014)

• 'Maori in Milan – The Ducal salon of George Nuku' - Museo delle Culture. Milan, Italy. (2016)

• 'Bottled Ocean 2116-Te Ao Maori,' - Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de La Rochelle. La Rochelle, France. 2016.

• ‘WAWA Art in the contemporary Pacific' - Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Art. Kaohsiung, Taiwan. (2017)

• ‘Maori Markings - Ta Moko’ - National Gallery of Australia. Canberra, Australia. (2019)

• 'Oceans, Collections, Reflections' - Weltmuseum Wein. Vienna, Austria. (2022)

• 'Bottled Sea – L'Univers plastique de George Nuku' - Musée du Masque du Fer et Fort Royal. Cannes, France. (2024)

• 'Rien de trop beau pour les Dieux / Nothing too beautiful for the Gods' - Opale Foundation. Lens, Switzerland. (2024)

Books:

• 'Pacific Patterns' - New Zealand, (2007)

• 'The Pacific Arts of Polynesia & Micronesia' - Oxford History of Art. (2008)

• ‘Mau Moko - Art of Maori Tattoo' - New Zealand. (2009)

• 'La Collection' - Musee du Quay Branly. France. (2010)

• 'In Oceania' - UK. (2012)

• 'Atua' - National Gallery of Australia. (2014)

• 'Polynesian Art' - Belgium. (2023)

• 'Toi te Mana' - New Zealand (2024)

• 'Sea of Islands' - Canada. (2025)

Learn more
Learn more
A person with extensive tribal tattoos and facial tattoos, holding a traditional spear or staff, with feathers in their hair.
A person with extensive face and body tattoos holding large knives, with a dark background.

Projects, installations & exhibitions

Images from the 'Pasifika Styles' exhibition at the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology in the UK, 2006. The top image features an elaborate, ornate entrance arch with carved wood or ivory, adorned with traditional motifs. The bottom left image displays a sculpture of a human figure, possibly made of glass or a translucent material, with detailed facial features and earrings. The bottom right shows a clear glass or acrylic object resembling a elongated teardrop shape, mounted on a wall, with a plaque describing George Nuku.
Multiple images of the 'Te Hononga' Waka installation at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland, showing detailed carvings on a large wooden canoe and close-up of transparent carved wood artifacts.
Glass sculpture called 'Whare Tupuna' at Museum Aan de Stroom in Antwerp, Belgium, displaying intricate, carved glass forms with wood and metal elements.
Glass art sculptures of abstract and tribal-inspired faces and figures in a museum exhibit, titled 'Whare Tupuna', at Museum Aan de Stroom in Antwerp, Belgium, 2010.
Three different display cases with traditional Polynesian and Oceanic art and artifacts, including carved masks and wooden sculptures, exhibited at the Museum of Natural History in Rouen, France.
Photographs of illuminated glass sculptures with engraved faces and intricate swirling patterns, part of the 'Face à Face' exhibition at Galerie Meyer in Paris, France, 2011.
Interior of Ruatapuwhine Wharekai, a Marae in Omahu Marae, New Zealand, featuring intricate wooden pendant lights with geometric patterns on the ceiling and circular windows with decorative grills.
Three glass art pieces inspired by indigenous designs: two rectangular pieces with intricate patterns and a third 3D piece in a glass box depicting symmetrical bird and abstract shapes, from 'Ethnowcentrix' exhibit at October Gallery in the UK, 2009.
Close-up of carved wooden and silver traditional Māori sculptures from the 'Te Hononga' Waka installation at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2011.
Glass artworks from the Whare Tupuna exhibit, featuring carved faces and intricate designs, displayed at Museum Aan de Stroom in Antwerp, Belgium, 2010.
Exhibit at Museum Aan de Stroom in Antwerp, Belgium, titled 'Whare Tupuna,' featuring traditional carved figures and masks displayed inside glass cases.
A close-up of a stylized face sculpture with a white face, red lips, and red accents around the eyes, part of a permanent installation at the Museum of Natural History in Rouen, France, created in 2011.
Artwork from the 'Te Ao' exhibition at Chapelle Saint Roch in Paris, France, 2012. The top part shows four wooden carved statues of humanoid figures with distinctive facial features and body details, painted in a golden color, standing against a white, intricately carved backdrop. The bottom part features an interior installation with large, intricate, white carved panels and a suspended large white cube with detailed carvings, surrounded by similar panels and a polished hardwood floor.
Two images of art installations. The first shows a white intricate lattice structure with a mirror-like floor at Kaohsiung Museum for Fine Art in Taiwan. The second features a glowing glass sculpture resembling an outer space scene at Auckland Museum, New Zealand.
A man with extensive facial and scalp tattoos, wearing a green garment and a red scarf, has animal-like ears attached to his head, with a bamboo background behind him.
A man with tattoos on his face and head, dressed in a suit jacket and white shirt, standing behind a display case with art pieces and photographs, looking through decorative glass.
Tattooed man with traditional Maori tattoos, wearing a kilt, holding a spear, standing in front of a decorative Polynesian sculpture at an indoor art exhibit.
Person standing on a decorative white lattice platform against a black background.
A shirtless man with body paint standing on a reflective floor in front of an ornate white wall with circular and swirling patterns.
A man with tattoos and a beard sitting in a brightly lit modern space surrounded by clear, ornate plastic chairs with intricate designs, with large windows with vertical blinds in the background.
A tattooed man with glasses and a bun hairstyle painting a large mural with a blue background and white design.
A man dressed in a vintage checkered suit, wearing a bowler hat, sitting on a chair, holding a cane, with a serious expression.
Person standing in front of an illuminated, ornate, green and yellow sculpture of a bird, with fish swimming around in an indoor setting with vibrant blue and green lighting.
A person wearing a yellow shirt and shorts stands in front of a large, white, ornate, three-dimensional decorative panel with swirling patterns. The panel is illuminated from behind, casting shadows on the floor. The person is standing inside a dimly lit room with wooden panels on the wall.
A man in a black blazer, red pants, and brown shoes stands in front of an elaborate, ornate gold frame with various mythical and fantastical sculptures. Inside the frame, there is a large painting of a tiger's face, artistically stylized with additional abstract designs, and a person wielding a spear. The frame features a dragon head, a snake, a feather, and other intricate decorative elements.
A man dressed in dark clothing with elaborate face makeup, holding a glowing orb, stands behind a marble pedestal in a decorative room with white carved walls. There are two classical busts on pedestals, with plastic bottles scattered on the floor, and colorful fish-shaped objects floating around.
A man with tattoos and a beard, wearing a blue t-shirt and red shorts, standing with arms crossed in an indoor exhibit with various sculptures and art installations.
A man in a plaid shirt and a cap kneeling on a red sculptural art piece resembling an abstract flower or plant, on a gray tiled floor.
A man with tattoos, wearing a blue t-shirt, beige shorts, and a gray cap, stands with arms crossed in front of a large white sculpture of a seahorse.
A man with tattoos and a black cap poses with arms crossed inside an aquarium exhibit filled with blue and green lighting and various sea creatures, including fish and jellyfish.
A man dressed in vintage clothing sits on a wooden chair surrounded by traditional African tribal masks and carvings. He holds a carved object and is set against a dark red backdrop.
A man with extensive facial and neck tattoos holding a wooden carving of an abstract figure, standing in what appears to be a museum or gallery with display cases in the background.
Tattooed man with traditional face paint holding a clear paddle and a translucent feather fan.
Two glass display cases with indigenous artifacts and sculptures. Visitors viewing the exhibits at the British Museum, UK, in 2009. The arrangement highlighted the theme of 'Living & Dying' and includes informational placards.
Photos of restored traditional wooden and carved canoes and war canoes displayed as part of the 'Te Hononga' Waka installation at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2011.
Two glass Tepuan sculptures inside display cases, one featuring a humanlike figure with traditional adornments, and the other a figure with ornate headgear, both from the Museum Aan de Stroom in Antwerp, Belgium, 2010. Below, a detailed close-up of an intricate carved object with swirling patterns.
Photo of an intricate Maori carving displayed as part of an exhibition at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Netherlands, 2011. The carving is large, hanging, and illuminated, showcasing traditional Maori artistry.
An artist wearing traditional Scottish attire and with tattoos on his arms is working on a large illuminated art piece that is shaped like a human figure. The setting appears to be a museum exhibit, with display cases and informational panels in the background.
Two images of art installations from the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, Canada, from 2012. The first image shows a reflective sculpture titled 'Te Ao Marama' composed of translucent, engraved cubes with a view of a sunset and trees through a glass window. The second image features a white, intricately carved lantern or sculpture called 'Box of promises', hanging indoors, casting shadows on the wall behind.
An art installation titled 'Outer Space Marae' at Moa Room in Paris, France, 2011, featuring illuminated carved sculptures resembling mythological or cultural figures and structures, with a colorful background installation and white walls.
A photograph of a text document discussing the conceptual art project 'Bottled Ocean 2117' involving large, carved plexiglass and plastic bottles, with mentions of its development over several years, exhibitions worldwide, and its thematic focus on water, marine life, and environmental issues.
Two photos of an art installation called 'Bottled Ocean 2114' at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, Taiwan, created in 2014. The sculpture is made from transparent bottles arranged to resemble a vessel or boat, with intricate decorative elements and suspended cube-shaped objects above.
Glass art sculptures resembling ocean creatures, displayed in a museum, titled 'Bottled Ocean 2115' at Museum de Rouen, France, 2015.
Art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2116' at Tjibaou Cultural Center in Nouméa, New Caledonia, 2016, featuring a glass sculpture resembling an ocean scene with an ornate, swirling design, illuminated with blue lighting.
A person kneeling and looking into a triangular, transparent, geometric installation with a large shell-like object placed inside. The installation features clear, patterned acrylic panels and cylindrical tubes, displayed at the Museum of Natural History in La Rochelle, France, in 2016.
Exhibition display of Maori artifacts including carved and decorated items, displayed in a museum setting with dark background and spotlighting.
Black and white photographs of Maori artifacts including two carved wooden chairs, a tall carved wooden stool, and two decorated mirrors, titled 'Maori in Milan – The Ducal Salon of George Nuku' from Museo delle Culture & Kartell, Milan, Italy, 2016.
Exhibition room with transparent, intricately carved furniture and Maori artwork, including a carved face mask, on display at the Museo delle Culture & Kartell in Milan, Italy, 2016.
People attending the 'Nuku for Kartell' Design Days exhibition at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France, 2017. The photos show a crowded room with art displays, many visitors taking photos, and ornate architectural details.
Two images of an art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2117' at the Kaohsiung Museum for Fine Art in Taiwan, 2017. The installation features illuminated, translucent sculptures of oceanic elements like a large central structure resembling a seashell or coral, and hanging fish sculptures, all lit with neon colors on a dark room background.
An art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2118' at MTG Napier, featuring sculptures of ocean creatures made from plastic bottles, with a person standing in front of the display.
Interior of the 'Bouteille à la Mer 2119' exhibit at the Museum of Natural History of Bourges, France, 2019, featuring colorful, illuminated art installations of marine life, including a central dolphin sculpture, coral structures, and hanging sea creatures, with a mix of vibrant blue, green, and other colors.
Installation art with transparent plastic sculptures resembling aquatic creatures, decorated with colorful lights, at the 'Manawa Moana' Tairawhiti art festival in Gisborne, New Zealand, 2019.
Three images of an exhibit called 'Bottled Ocean 2120' at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Netherlands, showing ocean-themed art installations. The first image shows a close-up of textured, illuminated glass resembling water or bubbles in shades of blue and purple. The second image displays illuminated glass sculptures resembling jellyfish and cloud-like formations in purple and blue. The third image features hanging glass sculptures of jellyfish and other sea creatures in purple, cast shadows on the wall behind.
Multicolor illuminated art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2120 - A Sea of Islands – Masterpieces of Oceania' at Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Netherlands, 2020, featuring glowing sea-themed sculptures and intricate light designs.
Colorful illuminated art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2120' depicting a sea of islands with intricate, glowing patterns in blue, green, and yellow at the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden, Netherlands, 2020.
Exhibit at the Geneva Museum featuring glass sea-themed sculptures and installations with colorful lighting, including fish, whales, and coastal scenes, titled 'Bouteille à la mer - Te Ao Maori', showcasing Maori influence in sea art.
Colorful illuminated underwater-themed art installation featuring a neon green gecko, a glowing blue manta ray, and a realistic shark model, displayed at the Museum of Geneva, Switzerland in 2020.
A carved glass artwork of a Maori face with detailed facial features, horns, and intricate patterns, displayed in front of a black and white background.
Art installation featuring intricate carved ice sculptures of Māori faces and figures, displayed at the Musée Hébre de Saint-Clément in Rochefort, France, 2021.
Two artistic sculptures made of clear, intricately designed material, displayed in a museum. The background features framed photographs and artwork with cultural themes, indicating an exhibit at the Musée Hébre de Saint-Clément in Rochefort, France.
Three images depict an art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2122' at Thesus Temple, Volksgarden, Vienna, Austria, 2022. The installation features illuminated jellyfish sculptures and ocean-themed murals creating an underwater scene in blue hues.
Panoramic view of an art exhibition titled 'Oceans Collections Reflections' at Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria, 2022-23. The display includes framed artwork, gold decorative elements, and sculptures, with visitors observing and engaging with the pieces.
Interior of the 'Oceans Collections Reflections' exhibit at Weltmuseum Wien in Vienna, Austria, featuring black and white artwork, intricate white decorative panels, hanging glass sculptures resembling fish or jellyfish, and portraits of historical figures.
Colorful sculpture of an octopus with swirling tentacles, displayed indoors with art and science-themed decorations, titled 'Bottled Ocean 2123' at the Pavillon des transitions écologiques in Rouen, France, 2023.
Installation art titled 'Rising Tide' inspired by the ocean, featuring illuminated glass sculptures and intricate wireframe designs representing marine life, displayed in a museum gallery with a wooden floor and dark blue ocean-themed wall mural.
Mixed media art exhibit titled 'Bottled Ocean 2123' at Keiki Children's Museum in Kona, Hawaii, 2023. The display includes a large wave made of bottles, cloud sculptures, chandeliers made of bottles and plastic, and ocean-themed artwork.
A sculptural art installation called 'Bottled Ocean 2123' at the Nautil'art Exhibition in Rouen, France, 2023, featuring large red and blue tentacle-like structures made of glass and fabric, resembling an ocean scene with bottles and plastic debris on the base.
Images of an art exhibit titled 'Bottled Sea 2124' by George Nuku, displayed at the Musée du Masque de Fer et du Fort Royal in Cannes, France, 2024. The exhibit features paintings of nature and human figures, decorative wooden carvings, and transparent art panels with intricate designs, all set in a gallery with white painted brick walls and concrete ceilings.
Art installation of artificial ocean scene called 'Bottled Ocean 2124' at 'Planet Utopia' Children's Art Biennale in Dresden, Germany, 2024. Features large whale and octopus sculptures illuminated with blue and green lights, surrounded by intricate carved panels and decorative elements.
Interior view of the 'Palace of Potential' exhibition at the 'Planet Utopia' Children's Art Biennale in Dresden, Germany, June 2024, featuring ornate, decorative golden panels and artwork, with multiple visitors including children and adults exploring and observing the displayed art.
Four views of an intricate, illuminated, white sculpture resembling a lantern or temple, titled 'Whare Tu-Ahuahu' Exhibition: 'Nothing too beautiful for the Gods,' Foundation Opale, Lens, Switzerland, 2024.
Two intricately designed glass display cabinets with geometric patterns and swirling motifs feature in an art exhibition display at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, 2025.
Photo of two art pieces from the 'Manantunga' exhibition at Humboldt Forum, Berlin, Germany in 2025. The left piece is a reflective surface with intricate etched tribal designs and a hanging basket-like object. The right piece is a glass display case featuring similar etched tribal artwork, accompanied by a pedestal with a cut-out tribal mask or figure. The background includes reflections of museum visitors.
Exhibition display at Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, featuring objects and artworks related to Manatunga, with illustrations of elephants and other decorative elements on the wall.
A large illuminated art installation called 'Bottled Ocean 2125' in Madrid, Spain, 2025. The display features a detailed, glowing sculpture resembling an ocean scene with various marine life, set within a circular arrangement of intricate, wave-like patterns on the walls. The installation uses vibrant blue and green lights to evoke the ocean, with visitors observing the artwork.
Exhibition of illuminated glass masks and wooden sculptures in Caixaforum, Barcelona, Spain, 2025.
Installation artwork titled 'Seahenge Axis Mundi' from the 'Out of the Depths' exhibition at GroundWork Gallery, King’s Lynn, UK, 2026. The piece features a circular, maze-like overlaid structure with driftwood protrusions, viewed from various angles, including through a glass door.
Installation art titled 'Calamar Géant Diversité' featuring a large, colorful squid sculpture made from plastic bottle caps, with detailed tentacles and hanging elements, displayed in Galerie L'etabli, Rouen, France, 2026.
Three translucent carved amulets in Heitiki forms made from clear plexiglass, adorned with Paua, Haliotis, and Blue Abalone shell inlays. Each amulet is finished with brown wax polyester cordage and bone toggles.
Two black plexiglass sculptures named 'Pekapeka,' with intricate cut-out patterns, viewed from front and back, set against a dark background.
Six glass pendants with intricate designs, each attached to a cord necklace. The pendants feature abstract, openwork patterns, some with iridescent details, in various colors including blue, red, black, clear, and multicolored, displayed on a dark background.
Images of carved pendants made from silver pearl shell and blue abalone inlay, resembling abstract faces.
Set of four silver-lipped pearl-shell breastplate adornments with carved oceanic wave and current-inspired designs, finished with black colored waxed polyester cord and pearl-shell toggles.
Four necklaces made of carved abalone and pearleshell pendants, finished with waxed polyester cordage and pearleshell toggles, each with intricate carved and shaped shell ornaments against a blue background.
Collection of six pearl necklaces with carved shells, each with a variety of designs and colors, displayed on a blue background.
Collection of jewelry featuring necklaces and a bracelet with carved shell or abalone pendants and decorative elements, displayed on a dark blue background.
Young people creating art projects using plastic bottles at Tjibaou Cultural Center in Nouméa, New Caledonia, in 2016.
People participating in an art exhibit creating sculptures from recycled plastic bottles at the Gold Coast Art Centre, Queensland, Australia in 2015.
Two photos from the 'Bottled Ocean 2118' exhibit at MTG Napier in Napier, New Zealand, 2018. The first photo shows children sitting on the floor, assembling bottles with aquatic scenes, arranged behind a shoreline made of plastic bottles. The second photo depicts a woman and a child lying on the floor under an installation of hanging plastic bottles and bottles arranged around them, engaging with the exhibit.
Two women working with plastic bottles and waste materials in an indoor setting, preparing for an art installation titled 'Bottled Ocean 2120' at the A Sea of Islands, Masterpieces of Oceania Museum in Leiden, Netherlands.
Visitors at the Museum of Geneva, Switzerland, exploring the 'Bouteille à la mer - Te Ao maori' exhibit in 2020. The exhibit features glowing glass sculptures, hanging jellyfish-like decorations, and Maori artwork, with people taking photos and observing the display.
A collage of five photographs showing children and adults engaging in art activities and exhibitions at the Musée du Masque de Fer et du Fort Royal in Cannes, France, 2024. The images include group workshops on art projects, guided tours of large murals, and discussions with an artist in an art gallery.
Children and adults wearing yellow safety vests sitting on stairs and observing an art installation made of plastic bottles resembling an ocean scene with a large octopus sculpture hanging overhead.
A block of text discussing Indigenous art practices, specifically those of George Nuku, including his use of plastic materials and environmental themes, with a signature noting his name, affiliation, and a quote.
Page of text discussing Maori art, ancient artifacts, and George Nuku's work creating Perspex Patu from trees, water, and light.
Text discussing the cultural background and practices of George Nuku, his perspectives on colonial history, and his efforts to display and honor indigenous stories and artifacts.
art installation titled 'The Big Blue' with fragments of historical canoes and processed illustrations, featuring a stylized display in a room with vibrant framed artwork and decorative elements.
Photographs of three historical figures in ornate gold frames, two on the left and one on the right, with pink and white background patterns behind the images.
Decorations resembling viruses hanging from the ceiling in the atrium of the Vienna Hofburg, symbolizing pandemic remnants.
Interior view of a museum exhibit with display cases containing sculptures and artifacts, and a large aquarium or tank on the right side with water and rocks.
A blue underwater scene with a shark silhouette and bubbles, with abstract wave patterns and a signature in the bottom right corner.

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