Tony Fomison
Encyclopedia
Tony Fomison was a notable artist in New Zealand
. He was an important post-war visual artist in the country and influenced New Zealand art by incorporating elements of narrative and myth into contemporary art.
Fomison was born in Christchurch
. He studied sculpture at Canterbury Art School, where he was taught by Rudi Gopas, and during these early years he continued an interest in archaeology which had begun in high school. He also compiled photograhic essays during this period. Fomison began painting in earnest in 1960-61. In 1964, he travelled to England and Spain and lived in the former for three years before returning to Christchurch in 1967. During his time in England, he was hospitalised at Banstead Hospital after succumbing to drug addiction.
Fomison moved to Auckland
, the largest Polynesian
city in the world, in 1973. From that time, his work was influenced by Polynesian culture, including attempts to help revive the skill of traditional Tā moko
tattooing. At around this time he met fellow artist Colin McCahon
, with whom he struck up a long close friendship.
Fomison was tattooed by Samoan master tattooist Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II
with a pe'a
, the traditional male tattoo of Samoa
. Only a few Europeans have received the traditional Samoan tattoo.
Fomison died at Waitangi
during the commemorations of the 150th anniversary of the signing of New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He was an important post-war visual artist in the country and influenced New Zealand art by incorporating elements of narrative and myth into contemporary art.
Fomison was born in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
. He studied sculpture at Canterbury Art School, where he was taught by Rudi Gopas, and during these early years he continued an interest in archaeology which had begun in high school. He also compiled photograhic essays during this period. Fomison began painting in earnest in 1960-61. In 1964, he travelled to England and Spain and lived in the former for three years before returning to Christchurch in 1967. During his time in England, he was hospitalised at Banstead Hospital after succumbing to drug addiction.
Fomison moved to Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, the largest Polynesian
Polynesians
The Polynesian peoples is a grouping of various ethnic groups that speak Polynesian languages, a branch of the Oceanic languages within the Austronesian languages, and inhabit Polynesia. They number approximately 1,500,000 people...
city in the world, in 1973. From that time, his work was influenced by Polynesian culture, including attempts to help revive the skill of traditional Tā moko
Ta moko
Tā moko is the permanent body and face marking by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Traditionally it is distinct from tattoo and tatau in that the skin was carved by rather than punctured...
tattooing. At around this time he met fellow artist Colin McCahon
Colin McCahon
Colin John McCahon was a prominent New Zealand artist. During his life he also worked in art galleries and as a university lecturer...
, with whom he struck up a long close friendship.
Fomison was tattooed by Samoan master tattooist Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II
Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II
Sua Sulu'ape Paulo II was a Samoan tattooist, tufuga ta tatau , in New Zealand.Suluape was from the Su'a family of Lefaga, a family well known as tufuga ta tatau in Samoa...
with a pe'a
Pe'a
The Pe'a is the popular name of the traditional male tattoo of Samoa, which was originally called the malofie, a term used in the Samoan language chiefly vocabulary and 'respect' register .-Description:...
, the traditional male tattoo of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
. Only a few Europeans have received the traditional Samoan tattoo.
Fomison died at Waitangi
Waitangi, Northland
For the main port and settlement at the Chatham Islands, see Waitangi, Chatham IslandsWaitangi is a township located in the Bay of Islands on the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the town of Paihia , 60 kilometres north of Whangarei...
during the commemorations of the 150th anniversary of the signing of New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi
Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi is a treaty first signed on 6 February 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand....
.