Keven\u2019s art prominently features his childhood. Photo \/ Kellie Blizard<\/p>\n
Asked about his most treasured memories, Keven\u2019s mind turns immediately to his childhood, where art also featured prominently \u2013 his beloved late mum Tise drawing in her sketchbook and seeing his grandpa get his pe\u2019a (traditional Samoan tattoos).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether Mum was drawing Pacific Island patterns or doing floor plans for a vision of what she wanted our house to look like, she was always with her art pad,\u201d recalls Keven, whose grandparents sacrificed everything to move from Samoa to Aotearoa to build a better life for their family.<\/p>\n
\u201cArts are part of the culture<\/a> \u2013 part of who we are and what we do. I still remember as a young boy being able to see my grandad and my uncle get their pe\u2019a, which is a form of art but also culture all tied into one.\u201d<\/p>\n It was Tise\u2019s influence that first encouraged Keven to take up art and graphics at high school, which led to a lifelong love of drawing. An early childhood teacher in South Auckland for more than 40 years, she shared her passion with Keven and his two kids, Samuel, 24, and Maia, 21, whom he shares with his beloved wife of 22 years, Tai. <\/p>\n \u201cFor most of her life, Mum was sharing a love of art with kids. When her grandchildren would have sleepovers, they\u2019d get together, draw and make little books. She did this for lots of children<\/a>. When she passed, there were so many families at the funeral where she\u2019d taught the parents and their kids.\u201d<\/p>\n And Keven is continuing her legacy, encouraging his children to cultivate their creativity in their everyday lives. Recently, he helped budding events planner Maia organise a \u201csip and paint\u201d evening, where customers create art while enjoying a beverage, at Broadway Lounge, a Papakura cocktail bar Tai has run for the past two years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re able to give our girl some experience there with planning and organising events,\u201d says the proud dad. \u201cWe try not to give any boundaries, so she can just go and be creative.\u201d<\/p>\nKeven with his dad, Mapusua and mum, Tise. Photo \/ Woman’s Day<\/p>\n
Keven was asked to contribute illustrations to a series of kids\u2019 fundraising books. Photo \/ Kellie Blizard<\/p>\n