Tears shed as Hawke's Bay artist and musician Fane Flaws passes away

Artist Fane Flaws at the Hastings Community Arts Centre. Photo / NZME

The artist who co-wrote the iconic Kiwi song, Tears, has caused a few to be shed in the past few days.

Fane Flaws, musician, artist and self-described "mark maker" passed away on Thursday after an illness.

At Pukehou Church in Hawke's Bay on Thursday night, music fans who had congregated to see and hear New Zealand musician Reb Fountain burst into tears and wept when told, by event organiser Jamie Macphail, of Flaws' death.

Macphail dedicated the evening to Flaws, noting how appropriate it was that music fans were gathered together in a church to "commune" on the day of his death.

He told Hawke's Bay Today that Flaws was "the embodiment of creativity.

"He was constantly excited about new projects, new collaborations. That excitement was infectious and at times daunting. He seemed to channel constant creative energy."

He said was a privilege to have him as a friend.

Flaws co-wrote the Crocodiles' song Tears, sung by Jenny Morris, which hit the New Zealand Top 20 in 1980.

He also forged a career as a respected Napier-based artist, and in the early 1970s was a former member of Blerta, a New Zealand musical and theatrical co-operative.

Artist and Musician, Fane Flaws at his home studio in Napier.

Gallery owner Richard Boyd-Dunlop described Flaws as an inspiration, "with a big heart and imagination.

"I was just looking at the pieces this morning and listening to Crocodiles."

Music and art went "hand-in-hand" for Flaws, as it did for a lot of artists, Boyd-Dunlop said.

"He was definitely a multifaceted guy. You couldn't get him to keep still."

He praised Flaws for his "huge body of work", of an aesthetic which many people would recognise.

"He's definitely left his mark on New Zealand art and New Zealand culture."

Richie Jackman, of The Music Machine in Napier, said Flaws had been a regular in the store for many years.

"As well as being a talented musician and artist, Fane was an all-round good guy, always super-enthusiastic and great value when he came in to see us."

He said Flaws was "a true Kiwi icon" who would be sorely missed.

"A great talent and a great loss."

MTG Hawke's Bay art curator Toni MacKinnon said he was "a complete one-off".

"Well known as a musician and performer, Fane was also a fantastic illustrator and animator. His innovative titles for Radio with Pictures and videos for bands such as the Muttonbirds will be remembered in our history."

MacKinnon said Flaws would be "long remembered as one of Aotearoa's most interesting creatives".