Tim Buchanan

Born in 1962, Buchanan’s paintings deliver vibrant expressions of modern island life, conveying the joys and communal gatherings intrinsic to Cook Islands culture as well as the social concerns that grip this progressive Island state .

He is the past recipient of the BCI Artist in Residence award and in 2010 he completed a major painting instalation for the re-developed International terminal at Rarotonga International Airport. Tim Buchanan lives and works in Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

Selected Solo Exhibitions: Akairo Nui, Reef Gallery/BCA, Auckland (2005); BCI Artist In Residence, Cook Islands National Museum (2003).  Selected Group Exhibitions: Tatou, BCA Gallery, Rarotonga (2002); Aroa Rarotonga, BCA Gallery, Rarotonga (2002); Te Ata Ou, Gallery O/BCA, Christchurch (2003); Recent Works, BCA Gallery, Rarotonga (2005); Pauanga, BCA Gallery, Rarotonga (2006).

Public Collections: Cook Islands National Museum, Rarotonga International Airport.

Tim Buchanan Art Feature
Courtesy ESCAPE Magazine

Living in a small island community can be challenging. For example, it can be difficult to discuss a controversial issue without getting tangled in a personal confrontation. In a place where everyone knows almost anyone else, it is a true art form to be critical and thought-provoking in a positive way, and Kata has mastered this art with his witty cartoons for the local newspaper, the Cook Islands News.

Although it was kept secret for many years, it's now well known that Kata is the pen-name for Tim Manavaroa Buchanan, an established local artist. Day after day, Tim comments on current issues with acute insight, skilfully conveying prominent characters and adding new perspectives with refreshing humour. Some politicians have shown less humour, but public support has been stronger than threats of suing, and Kata continues to delight, poke and point out issues. His cartoons are probably the most popular column in the daily "C I News".

But the cartoons are only one aspect of Tim Buchanan's art work and contribution to the public space. A very different comment on Cook Islands life and artistic approach is on display in the departure lounge at the International Airport on Rarotonga. On a large panel of 1.2m by 12 metres (4 x 40 feet), Buchanan has interpreted the history of travelling Cook Islanders, from the early voyagers to the present. The panel is a stunning composition of colour and pattern, while telling the story in five different time periods.

It begins on the left with the theme Voyage and Discovery. In the night, early Polynesian voyagers in double hull canoes navigate by star constellations. The patterns depict birds which helped navigators to find islands during the day.

Seaweeds appeared in the water close to land, and the second theme is Landfall and Settlement, in the colours of day break and morning light. The stylised lagoon life is representing food and fertility, houses were built and village plantations, but soon enough the paradise was compromised by inter-tribal warfare.

As the sun warms up and the panel colours turn green, new ships arrive with new visitors. Theme three is Early European Contact and Missionaries. New animals arrive too: horses, goats and cows. A European face with glasses is dominating a pattern of churches and people carrying bibles. In the red heat of noon, staff gods and 'heathen' artefacts are burned, while printed cotton is introduced to replace tapa (bark cloth) for garments.

Theme four symbolises Modernisation in the 20th Century, in mellow afternoon colours. Freight ships, trucks and a different style of houses for small families appear. There are modern sail boats next to traditional fishing canoes, and a man with an urban hat represents business. There is also a ship wreck, and a panel in pink evening glow features motorbikes and modern cars.

The last panel stands for Contemporary Life and Travel, as the day has turned to night again. The dark blue sea is busy with cruise ships, container ships and high-tech yachts, yet there are also racing canoes, and vaka, double-hull canoes based on traditional designs, referring to the revival of Polynesian voyaging. Above and in front of a big silver jet plane, people look forward and up, life moves on, and the star constellations, the Southern Cross and Scorpio, are still the same.

Tim also has a private art life. Recently he has researched his own family history and found old photos of his mother. She is from Aitutaki and Tim has captured her gentle and vivid nature in a beautiful oil on canvas painting.

Tim Manavaroa Buchanan lives in Ngatangi‘ia, on Rarotonga. He has held exhibitions in Rarotonga, Auckland and Christchurch. In Rarotonga he is represented by Beachcomber Contemporary Art.

Story: Judith Kunzlé
Photograph: Mahiriki Tangaroa