Michael Parekowhai
Encyclopedia
Michael Parekowhai is a New Zealand
sculptor, of Nga Ariki, Ngati Whakarongo and European descent. He makes a broad range of work, across a range of media that intersects sculpture
and photography
. Despite the range of Parekowhai's output, his practice is linked throughout, both stylistically - a characteristic 'gloss' of high production value, and thematically.
Parekowhai's narrative is complex. He draws on an abundant range of 'readymade' vocabularies which are then re-manufactured in the work. Although the key themes of his practice could be described as deliberate takes on notions of introduced species
and culture, the potentially political dimensions, however, are downplayed. Ideas of camaraderie - the band of brothers, tools of teaching and childhood learning (in particular Cuisenaire rods
and kitset models), as well as quotes from the canon of modern art history and popular culture openly play out in many of Parekowhai's stories.
Both his parents were schoolteachers. Parekowhai spent his childhood and attended school in Auckland's North Shore suburbs. After leaving high-school, Parekowhai worked as a florist's assistant before commencing his BFA at Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts
(1987–1990). Parekowhai trained as a high-school art teacher, before returning to Elam to complete his MFA (1998–2000). Parekowhai was awarded an Arts Foundation of New Zealand
Laureate Award in 2001, and is currently Associate Professor at Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
sculptor, of Nga Ariki, Ngati Whakarongo and European descent. He makes a broad range of work, across a range of media that intersects sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
and photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
. Despite the range of Parekowhai's output, his practice is linked throughout, both stylistically - a characteristic 'gloss' of high production value, and thematically.
Parekowhai's narrative is complex. He draws on an abundant range of 'readymade' vocabularies which are then re-manufactured in the work. Although the key themes of his practice could be described as deliberate takes on notions of introduced species
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
and culture, the potentially political dimensions, however, are downplayed. Ideas of camaraderie - the band of brothers, tools of teaching and childhood learning (in particular Cuisenaire rods
Cuisenaire rods
Cuisenaire rods give students a hands-on elementary school way to learn elementary math concepts, such as the four basic arithmetic operations and working with fractions....
and kitset models), as well as quotes from the canon of modern art history and popular culture openly play out in many of Parekowhai's stories.
Both his parents were schoolteachers. Parekowhai spent his childhood and attended school in Auckland's North Shore suburbs. After leaving high-school, Parekowhai worked as a florist's assistant before commencing his BFA at Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts
Elam School of Fine Arts
The Elam School of Fine Arts, founded in 1890 by John Edward Elam is a part of Auckland University. Students study degrees in fine art with an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach.-History:...
(1987–1990). Parekowhai trained as a high-school art teacher, before returning to Elam to complete his MFA (1998–2000). Parekowhai was awarded an Arts Foundation of New Zealand
Arts Foundation of New Zealand
A facilitator of private philanthropy, the Arts Foundation of New Zealand supports artistic excellence through its permanent Endowment Fund. Legacies and donations help grow the Fund, with income generated enabling the Foundation to support the arts....
Laureate Award in 2001, and is currently Associate Professor at Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts.
External links
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki: Works by Michael Parekowhai
- Works at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- Michael Lett: http://www.michaellett.com
- University of Auckland: http://www.creative.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/our-faculty/schools-programmes-and-centres/fine-arts/fa-academic-staff?target=186
- Artfacts.net: http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/artistInfo/artist/23488