Piet Tuinder: Benediction

About the Exhibition

The artist is a first-generation Kiwi of a Dutch immigrant family with ancestral roots to the island of Texel, North Holland. Piet grew up in Moerewa, Te Tai Tokerau. A visit to the Netherlands in 2024 with partner and adult children stirred a deep connection to Dutch culture and built heritage. In particular, the churches – beautifully crafted places of worship dating back 400-700+ years. These structures held a sense of ancient serenity, of peace, of blessing. 

In parallel Piet has spent the last 3 years designing, building and completing his art studio at Port Waikato, using 95% recycled and found materials. The aspiration was to build a creative space that captured some sense of the serenity found in those ancient churches, but being grounded in Port Waikato: a place where the mighty Waikato awa meets the Tasman Sea, with black iron sands and shifting dunes, a crucible of elemental forces, a habitat for migratory and native birds. 

Benediction explores the artist’s journey of finding both cultural identity and a sense of spiritual connection both in Netherlands and Aotearoa. The framed motifs and symbols evolved from being in ancient places of worship. The accompanying sculptures connect to the birds of Aotearoa, representing the artist’s spiritual connection to this land. Benediction is about searching for spiritual connection and blessings in a world consumed with war, inequity, and intolerance. 

About the Artist

Piet Tuinder has had a career in environmental management caring for Te Taiao but has engaged with creative processes as a lifelong passion. He has not exhibited publicly prior to now. Artworks include a mix of media including acrylics, inks, and sculptures using Oamaru stone, river-found wood and recycled metal. The artist has a self-built studio in Port Waikato.

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