Of dual Maori (Ngai Tahu ) and Chinese descent, Simon Kaan clearly draws heavily from both identities. His oeuvre has developed with a unique and distinctive appreciation of Chinese philosophy and aesthetics along with qualitative references to fundamental Maori concepts including Io, Rangi, Papa, whenua and moana. Both cultural influences are evident in Kaan’s style, his techniques, his appreciation of his subject matter and the way he imbues his own experiences and sense of place in his artworks. Kaan’s appreciation of the elements, the sea and sky, as well as the headlands and the various objects he employs to occupy his landscapes are those of a sensitive and seasoned aficionado.