About
About Pete
Born and raised in London’s working-class suburbs in an unusual
spiritualist family – father a healer, mother and sister both mediums
School a struggle… undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia…
teens
• Free entry to Art College (via 7-year scholarship). National Diploma in Art and Design – art work accepted at Royal Academy
• Begin physical training through acrobatics, strength-building, boxing, martial arts, swimming coaching
• Employed as a teacher with early teens
• Introduced to music, influenced by the Jamaican music scene through fellow training partner
• Employed as doorman/bouncer while at Art College – blessed to work in clubs with many of the 60’s greats (BB King, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Brownie Magee, Stevie wonder, Ginger Baker and more) ….throw Jimmy Hendrix out of a club amongst others….
• Employed as art teacher at Salvatorian College for five years – Head of department last couple of years
• Began sculpture Work
• Begin physical training through acrobatics, strength-building, boxing, martial arts, swimming coaching
• Employed as a teacher with early teens
• Introduced to music, influenced by the Jamaican music scene through fellow training partner
• Employed as doorman/bouncer while at Art College – blessed to work in clubs with many of the 60’s greats (BB King, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Brownie Magee, Stevie wonder, Ginger Baker and more) ….throw Jimmy Hendrix out of a club amongst others….
• Employed as art teacher at Salvatorian College for five years – Head of department last couple of years
• Began sculpture Work
20 - 30
• Employed as art teacher at Salvatorian College for five years – Head of department last couple of years
• Began sculpture Work
• Attended Art Academy in Rome for 8 Months – “until the money runs out”
• Begin training in Taiji – privileged to train with various Taiji Masters, and start teaching Taiji in Norwich • Journey with sculptured portraits continues
• Employed in building, renovation and demolition work to support family
• Began regular part time work as Buddhist prison Chaplin, teaching meditation and Taiji, and producing Buddhist figures (lasting 27 years)
• Began sculpture Work
• Attended Art Academy in Rome for 8 Months – “until the money runs out”
• Begin training in Taiji – privileged to train with various Taiji Masters, and start teaching Taiji in Norwich • Journey with sculptured portraits continues
• Employed in building, renovation and demolition work to support family
• Began regular part time work as Buddhist prison Chaplin, teaching meditation and Taiji, and producing Buddhist figures (lasting 27 years)
30 - 40
• Begin raising family
• Interest in Buddhism deepens
• Begin training in taiji – privileged to train with various Taiji Masters, and start teaching Taiji in Norwich
• Journey with sculptured portraits continues
• Employed in building, renovation, and demolition work to support family
• Begin regular part time work as Buddhist prison Chaplain teaching meditation and Taiji, and producing Buddhist figures (lasting 27 years)
• Interest in Buddhism deepens
• Begin training in taiji – privileged to train with various Taiji Masters, and start teaching Taiji in Norwich
• Journey with sculptured portraits continues
• Employed in building, renovation, and demolition work to support family
• Begin regular part time work as Buddhist prison Chaplain teaching meditation and Taiji, and producing Buddhist figures (lasting 27 years)
40 - 50
• Returning to boxing to train amateur and professional boxers (10 years)
• Construct three Stupas (Buddhist monuments) at Vajraloka and Padmaloka, and Sudarshanaloka retreat centres
• Meet Qigong Master Shen as a result of unusual spititual experiences with people during Taiji
• Visit NZ and fall in love with land at Sudarshanaloka Retreat Centre in Thames
• Meet Taiji Teacher Wee Kee Jin, and move under his ongoing tuition
• Construct three Stupas (Buddhist monuments) at Vajraloka and Padmaloka, and Sudarshanaloka retreat centres
• Meet Qigong Master Shen as a result of unusual spititual experiences with people during Taiji
• Visit NZ and fall in love with land at Sudarshanaloka Retreat Centre in Thames
• Meet Taiji Teacher Wee Kee Jin, and move under his ongoing tuition
40 - 50
• Gain residency in NZ in the mid-90s
• Establish art studio at Sudarshanaloka
• Travel and organise local and international Taiji workshops with Wee Kee Jin (20 years +)
• Travel backwards and forwards between NZ and the UK
• Teach sculpture workshops and Taiji/Qigong workshops in both countries
• Establish art studio at Sudarshanaloka
• Travel and organise local and international Taiji workshops with Wee Kee Jin (20 years +)
• Travel backwards and forwards between NZ and the UK
• Teach sculpture workshops and Taiji/Qigong workshops in both countries