About Us - Liz De King

Creative Background

Born in Colombia South America, from an indigenous and Spanish heritage, Liz studied Architectural and Engineering Design. She moved to the United States in her early twenties and taught English to students from various Latin American countries. This experience shared in their mutual cultural backgrounds and influenced her later career as an artist.
Liz and her family immigrated to the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand in 1982. She was inspired to continue with the arts while visiting Malaysia. She took a batik printing workshop in an art centre in Kuala Lumpur. After returning to New Zealand, she had the opportunity to take several courses in print making, acrylic, fabric painting, encaustic art, and stone sculpting.
As her work matured, she became influenced by a number of her multicultural experiences. She incorporates an abstract interpretation of the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Andes apparent from her use of bright colour, grainy textures and mixed media setting these against the background of her life in New Zealand.
Vibrant, energetic and refreshingly positive, Liz loves tutoring. She has taught for a number of years and is valued by staff and students alike. Learners from all over Auckland flock to her classes.

www.lizdeking.com

Teaching Philosophy

Our Vision

Mairangi Arts Centre is a strong, community based visual arts education centre supporting and encouraging local/regional and culturally diverse communities to experience and enjoy a diverse range of visual arts practices, exhibitions and education programmes.

Our Purpose

To provide a supportive, nurturing and encouraging environment at Mairangi Arts Centre that fosters community access to and participation in the visual arts by offering a strong and purposeful education and exhibition programme that meets the learning and presentation needs of the community.