the venice biennale
We are a year away from the Venice Biennale, a major world contemporary art showcase which takes place every two years in Venice, Italy.
But what’s this got to do with New Zealand you ask? Well at each Biennale showcase, there are over 30 national pavilions which are filled with artists from around the globe. The [...]
But what’s this got to do with New Zealand you ask? Well at each Biennale showcase, there are over 30 national pavilions which are filled with artists from around the globe. The [...]
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25/02/10
by mcphee
We are a year away from the Venice Biennale, a major world contemporary art showcase which takes place every two years in Venice, Italy.
But what’s this got to do with New Zealand you ask? Well at each Biennale showcase, there are over 30 national pavilions which are filled with artists from around the globe. The artist representing New Zealand has just been revealed as Michael Parekowhai, and he’ll have the great honour of bringing his contemporary modern sculptures to the forefront of the art world.
parekowhai's one of many works on the rabbit
Parekowhai was born in Porirua, New Zealand in 1968 and he currently lives in Auckland. He is of European and Maori decent, with his Maori tribal affiliations being with Nga-Ariki, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki and Rongowhakaata.
His work heavily portrays a social commentary on everyday life and objects – such as musing on social stereotyping by using real mannequins with a brown face wearing a black tie and standing in a white cube. Whereas with some of his quirkier pieces are based on nostalgia – such as a close-up photo of an old-fashioned stuffed rabbit. But whatever the message, Parekowhai’s is one of New Zealand’s major artists who combines ideas about Western art, New Zealand history and Maori culture making him the perfect representative for New Zealand.
Check out Parekowhai’s masterpieces whilst in Auckland on our Old and New Zealand experience.
enquire here or
