Wanting to start your conference with WOW factor but you've done everything under the sun?
We have the answer
Marcus Winter is a visual artist whose performances transform grains of sand into breathtaking stories. Born and raised in Whangārei, New Zealand, Marcus grew up fascinated by drawing and the expressive possibilities of art. As a young man experimenting with street art and traditional painting, he discovered his distinctive talent for blending visual art with live performance.
In the late 2000s, Marcus began developing his unique sand art technique, using a lightbox as his canvas. With swift, precise movements, he shapes sand into images that morph fluidly from one scene to the next, captivating audiences with his storytelling skill. His work draws inspiration from his Māori heritage and a deep love for nature, history, and cultural narrative.
Over time, Marcus expanded his artistry beyond sand, becoming equally adept with ink and paint. On stage, he creates intricate sepia landscapes of serene places—mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and traditional thatched huts—often completing a vivid piece in under six minutes. His live artworks are frequently auctioned for charity, adding an element of giving back to his creative journey.
Today, Marcus continues to mesmerise audiences around New Zealand and internationally, celebrated as The Sandman for his extraordinary ability to turn fleeting moments into lasting visual memories.
Video
Marcus Winter | The Sandman
Marcus Winter | Testominal
He is a very talented artist, was thrown in with just over 24 hours-notice so had little time to prepare, and did a wonderful performance. We had delays on the day and Marcus was very accomm ... keep reading Infrastructure New Zealand
I first saw Marcus on the TV show Marae Investigates' and thought what a talent - it would be great to have him end our first day of conference. His brief was to start with the sponsors and our logo, include some key nature icons of New Zealand and possibly finishing with 100% Pure New Zealand. During the afternoon the speakers and delegates confirmed that we believe in the 100% Pure New Zealand marketing campaign with 100% Sure being mooted. Marcus assimilated what he had heard and observed and finished with great panache and humour. We were mesmerised throughout the performance and we couldn't have finished a better way with many delegates saying it was the best artistic live performance they had ever seen.
