Phillip Waddington
PORTRAITS
We are delighted to continue to represent Phillip Waddington who was appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to conservation and art in 2026. Petone artist Phillip Waddington finds inspiration for painting everywhere. As a keen observer of nature, people and the places occupied by both, he has created a body of work using a variety of techniques and materials. He has the ability to capture the essence of the subject and reflect this back to the viewer in a very engaging way.
Although the unique flora and fauna of New Zealand are of special interest, Phillip is equally skilled in portraiture. Perhaps the portraits he is most well known for are those of the last of the Māori women with the traditional facial tattoo (moko) whom he met during his travels through the Ureweras as a young man. Subjects for paintings often come from Phillip’s observations of people in everyday life. He built a lasting rapport with several of these (and more recent) portrait subjects. He has developed a painting style influenced by two great masters, Rembrandt and C F Goldie, and has also continued in the footsteps of Goldie by recording through his art, engaging and important visual records of the Māori moko tradition. His Māori oil portraits justifiably earned Phillip the nickname The Living Goldie.
The below paintings are some of Phillip’s portraits currently available for sale or sold through Mitchell Studios gallery.
The Flax Hat, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington. SOLD 2019 for $13,500. Tangi Tamarau was well known as an expert weaver of flax (harakeke). She made the hat she is wearing. Tangi and I became very close over the years and I was honoured by her calling me her "pakeha mokopuna".
Granny Nga, Nga Kahikatea Wirihana, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington, SOLD 2019 for $14,000. From the Waikato, Granny Nga was said to be the oldest person to have lived in New Zealand - possibly 127 years old. When I met her, she was living with her Great, Great Grandchildren. They didn’t speak Māori and she didn’t speak English. A Māori princess died in her arms and for that prestigious act she was adorned with her moko. Te Aho-te-Rangi Wharepu of Ngati Mahuta, the Chief in Goldie’s ‘A Good Joke’ portrait, carved it for her.
Tuhoe in Blue, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington. SOLD 2019 for $8,750. Tangi Tamarau was well known as an expert weaver of flax (harakeke). Tangi and I became very close over the years and I was honoured by her calling me her “pākehā mokopuna”. The Flax is just suggested in this painting of Tangi Tamarau, which she grew all around her house in Kutarere (now a marae). She regularly used this flax for her weaving. I still have a mat and basket (kete) that she wove for me.
Reflecting, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington. Mrs Natana was a very old Tuhoe Kuia. I met her in her family’s home in Ruatahuna. I remember as being a very gentle, quiet lady.
Tuhoe under Harakeke, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington. SOLD 2021 for $9,000. Portrait of Te Onewhero Takurua (Tangi Tamarau). Tangi was a master flax (Harakeke) weaver and is pictured wearing a hat of her own creation.
The Joke's On Me, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington. I met Mrs Rutene, who was blind, when she was living with her family in Ruatoki. I captured this Tuhoe elder at a time when she was laughing at me.
Kapai te Paua, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington. Portrait of Te Onewhero Takurua (nee Tamarau) also known as Tangi Tamarau or Tangi Ariki (high born) showing off her earrings that I had just given her. She was chieftainess of all the Tuhoe people.
The Hongi, Hotauriki & Rangitoia, oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington. SOLD 2021 for $12,000.
Portrait of a Fellow Artist (Frida Kahlo), oil on canvas, signed PJ Waddington 2023. SOLD 2023 for $4,950.
The Silk Seller (Anoop Bediat), pastel on paster paper, signed PJ Waddington, SOLD 2019 for $4,750.
Please note that, while all efforts are made to represent artworks faithfully, nothing compares to seeing an artwork in the flesh.
Please contact us if you are interested in an artwork and we would be more than happy to provide further images or a viewing if you are in the Wellington region.