Provenance: Estate of Ida Carey

Ida Harriet Carey (1891 - 1982) was a well known Waikato artist and teacher. In the 1920's she received art tuition in Sydney, Australia, with Italian artist and teacher Anthony Dattilo Rubbo (Australian, 1870-1955). She painted portraits in particular, being noted for seeking to capture the personality of her sitter in her work. After a crippling accident in the 1960's she began a series of portraits for which she became most known which depicted as many living Maori woman bearing traditional Kauae moko (worn by woman only) possible. Carey was also a competent painter of interiors, still life, landscapes as well as ballet scenes. A founding member of the Waikato Society of Arts, who was later appointed President in 1934. Known for her larger than life personality, she educated and influenced many art careers and was perhaps one of the most famous woman artists in the Waikato art scene for over sixty years.

Many of her works remain in the Waikato Museum Collection and the University of Waikato being one of the most significant record of woman bearing the Kaueu moko.