This series of works combines NZ artists works with known International artworks of previous centuries and commercial advertisements. This alludes to NZ’s culture of taking and adapting due to our isolation.
The ‘Old Masters’, realism and romanticism were de rigueur in NZ in the early to mid 20th century meaning NZ artwork was marginalised by the ruling art society of the time.
NUDE ASCENDING THE STAIRCASE IN PARNELL
Mixed Media Sold
Test, Michael Parekowhai’s series, ‘My Sister, Myself’ makes reference to the work of Marcel Duchamp. This collaged work references Parekowhai’s use of the seal to draw cultural reference and comment to the garden sculptures that were evident during the 1950’s to 1970’s. Almost a prerequisite for the front garden in some quarters. The seal is collaged from Frances Hodgkin’s, ‘Self Portrait: Still Life’ 1941. The seal balances on a modernist plastic chair, on which skates Raeburn’s minister who is collaged in McCahon’s, ‘The Lark Song’ vestments.
BALLANCE AND THE WHANGANUI GIRAFFE
Mixed Media
John Balance became the notorious headless sculpture in the Moutua Gardens protest of the 1990’s. The work draws direct reference to Jacques-Laurent Agasse’s, ‘The Nubian Giraffe’. This work references the appropriation by George IV of exotic animals for his private menagerie at Windsor, with fatal outcomes for the giraffe and links it to colonial layering of what they want over the land and people already here, whether they were appropriate or not. The giraffe is collaged from NZ artist, May Smith’s, ‘Characterisation in Colour’
PHILOSOPHICAL BROTHEL OF HAMILTON
Mixed Media Sold
Collaged pieces of NZ Artists work, along with hints of commercial brands form Picasso’s famous/infamous ‘les demoiselles’ This work was also known as the philosophical brothel of Avignon. Overlapping meaning is used, involving art trivia, hearsay and copyright/originality. Braque claimed that Picasso’s work acquired the primitive masks after visiting his studio.
KAONGA WITH HANLY’S DOVE
Mixed Media sold
Kaonga is a reference to NZ Artist, Gavin Chilcott’s series of work titled, ‘Rites of Spring’ It was commissioned by the Hawkes Bay Cultural Trust to commemorate the Hastings Blossom Festival’s and AMP shows that occurred between 1950 and 1973. Many families, including mine, have photos and slides recording these events. Kaonga translates to a time to start digging and planting alluding to the fecundity of Spring. Hanly’s dove, from his series, ‘New Age Woman Golden Age Nocturne New Order 47 Innocence Land’ floats above. Again, a NZ cultural reference is used. This time, the NZ nuclear free movement.