ROSS JOHNS

Ross johns is a simple man living freely and in tune with nature. But what makes him stand out is his passion and zeal for the environment and his cultural heritage.

Sitting unperturbed in a worn flannel shirt and faded jeans, Ross sips his coffee and looks out toward the superb mountain view surrounding his Rarangi dwelling.

At first glance Ross appears to be like any other semi-retired man with years of hard work behind him and plain sailing ahead. But beneath the rough exterior there lies an amazing story to tell of time spent in the outback of Australia with Aboriginal people combined with his own roots stemming back to the Maori missionary in New Zealand.

What many people do not know about Ross is that along with his lifelong passion for stone collecting and carving, he has also made New Zealand history books by being the only artist selected by Ngai Tahu to have a piece of his artworks gifted to Te Papa forever.

Ross discovered a piece of Pounamu (Greenstone) with a gold nugget embedded in it, of which he cut into two pieces and carved different plates from.

One of these pieces featured in several exhibitions before being selected to be exhibitioned at Te Papa, a feat Ross is extremely proud of.

“I have made history and I’m not even dead yet.” He laughs. “It’s been recorded in the Ngai Tahu history books – I didn’t realise at the time, but this honour is right at the top as far as one can go.”

Ross is true to his Maori heritage and spends his time travelling the South Island in his motor home, living off the land and preserving what nature can do.

Ross scours the land and rivers for unique pieces of stone or rock, using skills in patience he learnt from his time in Australia. “I payed considerable attention to their patience and from that I incorporated what I learnt into my artwork. They taught me to hunt and fish with stone and all I have done is bring that knowledge back with me and make beautiful fruit bowls and platters” he says.

Along with genuine Pounamu Ross also collects pieces of all indigenous stones of which he feels has the right personality and feel.

Laid out with gentle consideration Ross displays a handful of hand-crafted and polished stone bowls and platters, each encompassing their own individual shape and history.

Glittering schist with marbled colours and striking Pounamu with hints of gold flecks sit amongst many of Ross’s indigenous stone creations. Once described as a stone tamer; ross possesses rare and inimitable ability to create a masterpiece from a simple piece of stone.

Picking up a stone whether it be from a riverbed or hillside, ross can sense the ‘inner life’ from the way it feels in his hands. “The stone has to have the right feel. I hold it, move it around and handle it before bringing it home. The stones soul determines what I do with it, I follow the shape and natural design – it can be months before something comes of it.”

From there Ross will start work with the stone or rock, sawing, chipping and polishing it into one of his unique carvings – hence his name “soul of the stone.” “if I left it in the river it would keep washing down over time to a smaller size, this way I've given it life and brought it out of its soul.” He says.

Being part of the Ngai Tahu tribe Ross has the deepest respect for nature and records every stone collected as the penalties of having Pounamu without authority are very hefty. Ross also believes a lot of his success with exhibiting and selling his carvings are attributed to his ties with Ngai Tahu.

“it’s pretty special to have their backing with collecting, carving and exhibiting my work- they have been the Real back bone of everything.” He says.

Pieces of Ross’s works of art are found in selected galleries throughout the country including Te Papa.

Contact us Here at Maraka for enquiries regarding Ross’s Artworks.