Brett Graham
Brett Graham (born 1967) is a New Zealand sculptor who creates large scale artworks and installations that explore indigenous histories, politics and philosophies.
Brett Graham | |
---|---|
![]() Graham in 2008 | |
Born | 1967 (age 55–56) Auckland, New Zealand |
Education | University of Auckland (BFA, 1988), University of Hawaii at Manoa (MFA, 1991), University of Auckland (DocFA, 2005) |
Known for | Sculpture |
Website | brettgraham |

Snitch from 2014, in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art, references the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch. It is an example of the artist's combining traditional Maori carving with contemporary themes.[1]
Brett Graham used recycled rubber tires and steel to make sculptures and they were called “Weapons of Mass Destruction”.[2] Graham’s sculpture “Te Hokioi” was created because of the 2007 police raids on the Tuhoe community of Ruatoki.[3]
Education
Graham is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (University of Auckland, 1988), a Master of Fine Arts (University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1991) and a Doctor of Fine Arts (University of Auckland, 2005).[4][5]
International exhibitions
Graham's work was included in the following international exhibitions.
- 1996 – Asia Pacific Triennial , Queensland Art Gallery[6]
- 2001 – Purangiaho Seeing Clearly, Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki[7]
- 2001 – Parihaka: The Art of Passive Resistance, City Gallery Wellington[8]
- 2006 – Biennale of Sydney[9]
- 2007 – Venice Biennale[10]
- 2010 – Biennale of Sydney[11]
- 2017 – Honolulu Biennial[12]
Major collections and public commissions
Graham has received a number of important commissions and his work is held in a number of international collections[13]
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki[14]
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa[15]
- Honolulu Museum of Art[16]
- Kahukura,, Tjibaou Cultural Centre, New Caledonia
- Whaowhia, for the Auckland War Memorial Museum[17]
- Kaiwhakatere, Parliament precinct, Wellington [18]Kaiwhakatere: The Navigator in Parliament precinct, Wellington, NZ
- Rawhiti, Adam Art Gallery, Victoria University[19]
- Kowhatu Karohirohi, Victoria University Collection[20]
- Escape, North Shore Court House[20]
Personal life
Of Ngāti Korokī Kahukura (Maori tribe) and Pakeha (European) descent, Graham was born in Auckland, New Zealand, where he currently resides.[21]
References
- Honolulu Museum of Art, wall label, Snitch, accession 2016-30-01
- RecycleNation. "'Weapons of Mass Destruction' Made from Recycled Tires – RecycleNation". Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- "Te Hokioi". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- Graham, Brett (2004). Kāinga tahi, kāinga rua : ka mate kāinga tahi, ka ora kāinga rua (Doctoral thesis). ResearchSpace@Auckland, University of Auckland. hdl:2292/639.
- The artist's website
- QAGOMA. "The 2nd Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT2)". Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "Purangiaho : seeing clearly".
- "City Gallery Wellington". citygallery.org.nz. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "15th Biennale of Sydney: Zones of Contact | Exhibitions | MCA Australia". www.mca.com.au. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "NZ at Venice". NZ at Venice. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "17th Biennale of Sydney | Exhibitions | MCA Australia". www.mca.com.au. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "Honolulu Biennial 2017". Hawaii Contemporary. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- The artist's website
- "Brett Graham". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "Loading... | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa". collections.tepapa.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "'Snitch' meets his maker—artist Brett Graham | Honolulu Museum of Art". honolulumuseum.org. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "Whaowhia - Edmiston Trust". www.edmistontrust.org.nz. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "Wellington Sculpture Trust | The Sculptures". www.sculpture.org.nz. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- "Rawhiti; Brett Graham; 2014; VUW.2014.1 on eHive". eHive. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- Brett, Graham (2007). Aniwaniwa. Rakena, Rachael, 1969-, Hutchison, Alice L., Mane-Wheoki, Jonathan., Cubitt, Sean, 1953-, Biennale di Venezia (52nd : 2007 : Venice, Italy). Palmerston North, N.Z.: Aniwaniwa. ISBN 978-0-473-11525-8. OCLC 180189749.
- The artist's website