Eugene Kara

Eugene Kara
Ngāti Koroki, Kahukura, Ngāti Tipa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngā Rauru, Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa

Eugene Kara is a sculptor and multi-disciplinary artist, specialising in bronze casting. In 2013 Eugene established Te Ahi Koomau Bronze Foundry at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Te Puia, Rotorua.

Based in Rotorua, Eugene has been active in the arts sector as a practitioner and advocate for more than twenty years and produced work for both gallery and outdoor spaces.

Kara's experience has seen him work as a Head Caster, Lecturer, Head of Art Departments, Programme Developer and Advisor, and more recently, Lead Developer of the Waikato Tainui Toi Strategy and Lead Co-Ordinator for Ngāti Koroki Kahukura cultural symbolism. In this role, Kara ensures that the korero of mana whenua is represented through toi within new local and central government infrastructure.