Exhibitions : Wellington : 'This Is New Zealand'

Abstract

Article reviews the exhibition 'This Is New Zealand', curated by Robert Leonard and Aaron Lister. Includes discussion of works including Emil McAvoy's 'The National Basement', Michael Stevenson's 'This Is the Trekka'; Gavin Hipkins' 'The Homely II'; and older works by Simon Drawbridge (1963), Inia Te Wiata, (1971) and Hugh Macdonald (1969). Mentions works by Michael Parekowhai, Simon Denny and Bronwyn Holloway-Smith. Considers the exhibition's exclusion of defining moments in New Zealand's postcolonial history, including 'Te Maori' (1984-86), and the inclusion of 21st century works whose "sophisticated edge of political or social critique" has "roots in the more raucous anti-establishment movements of the late '70s, '80s and '90s."