Shannon was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. He is of Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent and he lives and works in Wellington. He graduated from Elam Art School with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours.
He won the Walters Prize in 2016 which is New Zealand’s most prestigious contemporary art award. He is now one of New Zealand’s leading artists working in performance and video installation.
Shannon Te Ao’s artwork work reflects personal narratives, historical events and collaboration as a means to explore Māori thought and experience. Working across film, photography and performance, he creates richly layered works that are honest and intimate in their response to human tenderness and longing.
Shannon’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in many collections.
