Mountain Duck is a contemporary artist hailing from New Zealand, with a fusion heritage of Ngati Kāhu ki Whangaroa iwi and Scottish Bræmore Gunn clan.
A born rascal with an urban upbringing, his artistic journey has roots in graffiti and cartooning, having contributed to well-known TV shows like Brotown and Disney, and writing standout pieces across the heights and train corridors of central Auckland.
“My path to embracing the title of ‘artist’ has been winding and filled with profound experiences.
The turning point that drove me to pursue art full time occurred during my recovery from a traumatic brain injury a few years ago. It was within that healing process and subsequent time period that I’ve discovered my own whakapapa, a true sense of Self, and developed a deep gratitude for this existence. I also rekindled my appreciation for the gift of creativity and found contentment spending more time in nature. Through that journey I understand that it’s my purpose here to create art, and to elevate and contribute to the collective mindset with my unique visual language.
My vision is shaped by a lifelong affinity for skateboard graphics and graffiti – reinforced by a lot of comic books and cartoons from my younger days.
You will often find quirky figures alongside traditional Māori and Celtic deities and motifs in my art, all reimagined through a post-graffiti lens. I love layering textures and different materials and letting the mess and chaos take shape in my works… this is my way of paying tribute to the rebellious spirit and artistic roots shared by both graffiti and animation.
My mission is to deliver a blend of old-school street influences with a unique twist to amuse and captivate viewers.“
“MÓNDÙC” creations showcase bold, vibrant homages to street art, featuring expressive marker forms reminiscent of the raw energy seen in monikers adorning trains across the USA, and evokes memories of nights out painting graffiti. A running theme – “NO DOLLARS OR SEN$E” showcases recurring motifs that incorporate neon color fades, gold foils and metallic elements, overlaid with secret formula street inks.
Currently residing in Whaīngaroa (Raglan), you can also find me in the wild doing a bit of live painting at summer festivals, or live painting events. Check out where I’m at this year:
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Upcoming events & exhibitions
Shipwrecked Music & Arts Festival. Te Ārai, 7–9 February 2025
Coatesville Art in the Garden, Coatesville, 22–23 March 2025
Instagram: @mountainduck
Enquries: kelly@themountainduck.com