Born in New Zealand, 1971

The Story Behind deSotogi

The Artist

Dave Sotogi was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1971, of Samoan descent and raised on the city's North Shore. Growing up between two rich cultures — the rugged beauty of Aotearoa and the warmth of his Pacific Island heritage — Dave developed a deep sensitivity to colour, landscape, and identity that would later define his art.

Before picking up a paintbrush professionally, Dave spent over a decade working in graphic design. That foundation gave him a precise eye for composition, balance, and visual storytelling — skills that translate powerfully into his oil paintings. When he made the transition to fine art, he brought with him a designer's discipline and an artist's soul.

The Inspiration

Dave's work is rooted in the landscapes and cultures that shaped him. The sweeping coastlines of New Zealand, the ancient symbolism of Māori culture, and the vivid colours of the Pacific Islands all find their way onto his canvas. His paintings are not simply scenes — they are conversations between place, memory, and identity.

As his original oil paintings grew in value and recognition, Dave faced a question that many artists encounter: how do you keep art accessible to the people who love it most? That question took him to Los Angeles, California in 2005, where he researched the finest methods for reproducing original artwork without compromising its integrity.

The Prints

Every deSotogi canvas print begins with an original oil painting. Using museum-quality reproduction techniques, each piece is captured in extraordinary detail — preserving the texture, depth, and luminosity of the original work. The result is a print that carries the soul of the painting, crafted to gallery standards and built to last.

We use only premium materials: archival inks, artist-grade canvas, and solid timber stretcher frames. Each print is hand-inspected before it leaves our studio, because we believe the art you hang in your home deserves nothing less.

The Mission

deSotogi exists to make exceptional art accessible. We believe that a beautifully crafted piece of art can transform a space — and that it shouldn't require a collector's budget to experience. Whether you're drawn to the sweeping drama of a New Zealand landscape or the quiet power of Pacific-inspired colour, there is a deSotogi piece made for your walls.

Art is for everyone. That has always been Dave's belief, and it remains the heart of everything we create.