Jon Jeet : Artist Model

Jon Jeet is of Maniapoto / Fijian Indian descent and has recently completed a Masters in painting at Ilam, School of Fine Art. His primary practice is portraiture, as it poses a constant challange to convey ones likeness in either charcoal or paint. As for pounamu, Jon has spent over a decade honing in this craft, carving taonga, a treasured keepsake generally worn and regarded by the wearer(s). He finds that both mediums are comlementary, as both encapulate the mauri (essence) of ones being; either as a snapshot with of course artistic licence or a vessel to retain and harbour part of ones life force. "He Acheulean Angaanga" (pounamu skull), a piece of A grade kawakawa was sourced from Ngai tahu pounamu, Jon is registered as an Authenticated carver of Ngai Tahu, A kaupapa he supports and believes in strongly, knowing full well that the two hapu Kati Waewae and Makaawhio are the stone people, the kaitaiki (guardians) of this resource, this treasure. who's bones are from the West Coast of Te Wai Pounamu, our South Island for which it is named.

I was very fortunate to work under Jon Jeet the summer of 2016/2017 as an apprentice. Jon is an inspiration with his array of artistic talents (life drawing, oil painting, portraiture and stone carving) and so happy to share his knowledge with anyone enthusiastic to learn! I expanded on several skills and also learnt completely new ones, I appreciated more than anything his attention to process and detail. He is truly a perfectionist!

It was he who helped move me along the path that is the plan for my final exhibition works this year, inspiring me to reuse offcuts of pounamu to create new and great artworks. I was influenced by a small series of works of oil paint portraits painted on offcuts of stone. The portraits were of himself as if he was a mokomokai, painted in simple gold on pieces of Marsden (a type of greenstone that has yellow gold hues within it) which made for a beautiful complimented series of works.

Jon Jeet is an inspiration and reminds me strongly of a saying I heard from Dr. Rangi Mataamua - 'knowledge isn't knowledge unless its shared'. & I am forever grateful for all thats been shared with me!

Jon Jeet Me Myself and I, a Commodified Mokomokai2013. University of Canterbury Art Collection. Reproduced with permission

https://thecentral.co.nz/artists/31-jon-jeet/overview/