Fiona Pardington: A Beautiful Hesitation closes this weekend at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Hear photographer Fiona Pardington discuss her celebrated work this weekend as her survey exhibition A Beautiful Hesitationcomes to a close at Auckland Art Gallery.

The talk, with the artist’s brother Neil Pardington, will take place at 1pm on Sunday 19 June, the last day of the exhibition, in the Gallery’s auditorium. Entry to both the exhibition and talk is free.

A Beautiful Hesitation looks at 30 years of Fiona Pardington’s evocative, sensual and powerful practice through a collection of more than 100 photographs. It reveals significant factors that have helped to shape the artist’s work, and honours her as one of New Zealand’s most notable photographers.

Since the exhibition has opened, Fiona Pardington has been made a Knight (Chevalier) in the Order of Arts and Letters by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. The prestigious honour is awarded to artists and writers in recognition of their significant contribution to the arts in France and throughout the world.

A Beautiful Hesitation includes several works Fiona documented during her times spent in French museums.

Auckland Art Gallery Director Rhana Devenport says Aucklanders must see this exhibition.

‘It offers the opportunity to explore an iconic Aucklander’s fascinating body of rich and darkly romantic work. Aucklanders should not miss this show,’ she says.

Pardington’s early works, her photographs of hei tiki (pendants), life casts and historical specimens from museum collections, and her more recent still-life images are all shown in A Beautiful Hesitation.

‘This exhibition continues Auckland Art Gallery’s focus on in-depth projects by New Zealand contemporary artists,’ says Devenport.

A Beautiful Hesitation is an exhibition partnership between City Gallery Wellington and Auckland Art Gallery and in association with Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. It is accompanied by a book bringing together new and classic writings on the artist’s work, published by Victoria University Press.

ENDS

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