Signed, Theo Schoon

When Theo Schoon arrived in Aotearoa in 1939, fresh from Europe, he might as well have "landed from another planet". This documentary from director/producer team Luit and Jan Bieringa (The Man in the Hat, The HeART of the Matter) is partly narrated by Schoon himself, a charismatic artist who wowed 1940s Christchurch. He rubbed shoulders with Colin McCahon and Rita Angus, and shared his love of Māori design with Gordon Walters. He also fought for, and damaged, historic cave drawings, and adopted koru and kowhaiwha patterns for his own art. Some view his career as being built off the back of Māori culture.

I have no doubt where my heart really belongs and that is in Bali.

– Excerpt from a letter by artist Theo Schoon

Key Cast & Crew

Bruce Foster

Camera Operator

Jan Bieringa

Creative Producer

David Paul

Camera Operator

Scott Mouat

Camera Operator

Lala Rolls

Editor

Joseph Kelly

Camera Operator