Ian George

Ian Upokoina George (1952–2016) was a Cook Islands artist, curator, educator and cultural advocate of Rarotongan and Atiuan descent, and an important figure in the history of Tautai Contemporary Pacific Art. Born in Rotorua in 1952, he developed a practice across painting, carving and sculpture, drawing on Cook Islands histories, spiritual traditions and iconography to reclaim and reaffirm cultural identity through contemporary art. 

George served as Chairperson of Tautai from 2000–2001, contributing to the organisation’s early development as a platform for contemporary Pacific artists in Aotearoa. His advocacy extended beyond his own practice through curating exhibitions and strengthening connections between artists, cultural institutions and Pacific communities. 

After returning to Rarotonga, George and his wife, artist Kay George, established The Art Studio, an important venue for contemporary Pacific art. In 2006, Tautai presented Longitude, its first international exhibition, at The Art Studio, featuring 21 Pacific artists. George’s legacy within Tautai is both artistic and institutional: as an artist, leader, curator and cultural connector, he helped build networks supporting Pacific art to be seen and understood on its own terms.