15 Facts About Theo Schoon

Theodorus Johannes Schoon was a Dutch-born New Zealand artist, photographer and carver.

Theo Schoon was born at Kebumen, Java in the East Indies, the son of Dutch parents, Johannes Theodorus Schoon and his wife Barbara Isabella Maria Steegemans.

Theo Schoon attended the Rotterdam Academy of Fine Arts and travelled widely in Europe.

Theo Schoon's portrait was painted by Rita Angus and Douglas MacDiarmid.

Theo Schoon returned to Auckland in 1952 and shifted his artistic focus to Maori designs in Ta moko, carved gourds, and kowhaiwhai.

Theo Schoon moved to the East Coast in 1961 to study traditional carving techniques with the Maori carver Pine Taiapa and was encouraged to publish an article on growing gourds in the Maori magazine Te Ao Hou in 1962 to accompany an article on carved gourds.

Theo Schoon switched artistic focus again in 1968 when he began to carve greenstone.

Theo Schoon did some major research into jade carving at this time including a trip to Hong Kong but was dismissed from his employment in 1971.

Theo Schoon moved to Sydney in 1972 where he completed a book on jade carving called Jade Country, published 1973.

Theo Schoon often relied on the generosity of friends for accommodation and support.

Theo Schoon's upbringing in the East Indies continued to influence him throughout his life.

Theo Schoon enjoyed dressing up in Balinese clothing and had studied Javanese dance.

Theo Schoon was photographed in later life still able to demonstrate the lotus position and the intricate hand movements.

Theo Schoon returned to New Zealand in 1982 but went back to Sydney in 1985 where he died on 14 July aged 69.

Theo Schoon's work was multidisciplinary, often focusing on abstract forms, surreal landscape photography and minuscule worlds.