Visual artists

Tribal Affiliations: Te Popoto o Ngapuhi ki Kaipara

Colleen's work as a clay artist is based on customary knowledge and esoteric concepts, often acknowledging Pacific forebears and Maori female deities.

Colleen is a senior foundation member of the National body of Maori clay workers. Her work is underpinned by her Masters research into the thousands year old Pacific Lapita clay culture, whose legendary of decorative patterning can be found throughout the South Pacific, and customary Maori clay knowledge. A paper on her research was published in 'Pacific Archaeology: Assessments and Prospects', (2004) Vo. 15, Ed. Christophe Sand. 

Colleen has also co-edited with Libby Hakaraia, a collection of contemporary Maori art in Te Kahui o Matariki, published by the Pearson Group of Penguin Books. Her own work is held in a number of private and public collections, including the National Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa.