By Man's Hand 2008

John Papas is a dynamic personality and one of New Zealands best known and versatile artists. Terracotta is a material which has always fascinated Papas. He initially used it as an element surrounding his paintings, then further developed the idea of using clay tiles as shapes and motifs for his large scale public murals and smaller works. Papas travels widely and incorporates his experiences of other cultures and journeys into his work. He has exhibited widely throughout his career both in New Zealand and overseas. Papas has fulfilled several commissions, including those of Colenso, Saatchi and Saatchi, Multi Media Ltd, Sheraton Hotel and Volvo Moller NZ Ltd. His work is represented in the collections of the New Zealand Government, Hocken Library, Dunedin City Gallery, the National Gallery, Wellington and the Waikato Art Museum.