Three of Ralph Hōtere's 'incredible' rare artworks going under hammer stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Apr 16, 2021 | liturgy |
The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū currently (27 March – 25 July 2021) has an exhibition: Ralph Hotere: Ātete (to resist). This stunning, unmissable exhibition celebrates the artistic vision of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant artists. It is wonderful that one of his works of art is in
A New Zealand Prayer Book He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (above).
Understanding his deep Christian faith is a key into his art. One encounters the 14 Stations of the Cross, the number 7 recurring regularly, sacred images, and quotes from Christian texts.
His Catholic upbringing and Māori heritage underpinned much of his work, which frequently protested against injustice, war, human rights violations, colonisation, and industrial and environmental catastrophe. Art historian Jonathan Mane-Wheoki placed him ‘at the forefront of mainstream New Zealand art history. But in a sense he also stands outside of it, both as a Māori and as one of t