The rise of contemporary indigenous art – lecture tour

News release from the Royal Society of New Zealand

For immediate release

5 August 2013

The rise of contemporary indigenous art – lecture tour

The 2013 New Zealand Aronui Lecture, organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand, will explore the global rise of contemporary indigenous art with Professor Mane-Wheoki.

Professor Mane-Wheoki (Ngāpuhi/Te Aupouri/Ngāti Kuri) is an art historian, architectural historian, cultural historian and curator. He was head of the Elam School of Fine Arts until 2012, and is currently dividing his time between Te Papa and the University of Auckland.  His lecture is entitled ‘Remembrance, Resistance and Resurgence’.

“Contemporary indigenous art has come into its own,” says Professor Mane-Wheoki.

“In Asia, Africa, northern Europe, the Americas, Australasia and the Pacific, indigenous artists are using new technologies and media to explore and recast their identities and heritages in contemporary forms.”

This development is currently being showcased in the National Art Gallery of Canada’s landmark exhibition of recent work by over eighty artists from sixteen countries, including New Zealand.

In the lecture, Professor Mane-Wheoki he will give context to contemporary Māori, Pacific and Aboriginal art within this global resurgence, exploring commonalities and kinship as well as difference and separation.

Royal Society of New Zealand Chief Executive, Dr Di McCarthy, says it is always a delight to hear Professor Mane-Wheoki speak.

“He has extensive knowledge in a wide range of areas and he approaches his research topics with deep thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. I am sure the audience will greatly enjoy his lecture.”

Professor Mane-Wheoki was the recipient of the Royal Society of New Zealand 2012 Pou Aronui Award in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the development of the humanities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The lecture will be given in Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington and Christchurch:

• Auckland - 6pm Wednesday 14 August, Auditorium, Auckland Museum, The Domain, Parnell.
 
• Dunedin - 6pm Thursday 15 August, Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum, Great King Street.
 
• Wellington - 6pm Thursday 5 September, Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, Cable Street.
 
• Christchurch - 6pm Tuesday 10 September, The Grange Theatre, Middleton Grange School, 50 Acacia Avenue, Riccarton.

Tickets are free but can be reserved at www.royalsociety.org.nz/aronui.

ENDS

© Scoop Media