Brett Graham continues the great tradition of Maori carving through the creation of stone and wood sculptures, exploring intersections between Maori culture and European history to create compelling and wry artistic statements. He is highly regarded for his ability to abstract complex historical ideas into formally strong and beautiful sculptural forms. His work delves into the nature of Pacific identity and the cultural forces that threaten to destroy it, whilst cultivating a unique perspective that teeters between anxiety and defiance. The multi-faceted nature of his sculptures enables the viewer to engage with the work on an aesthetic, personal and historical level.

Brett Graham, from the Ngati Koroki sub-tribe of Tainui, is based in Auckland, New Zealand. He has been included in many major exhibitions throughout New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA. His work, Aniwaniwa, a collaboration with Rachel Rakena, was exhibited at the 52nd Venice Biennale 2007 collateral events, and their work UFOB was shown at the 2006 Sydney Biennale. His work which presents versions of western ‘weapons of mass destruction’, such as Te Hokioi 2008, a Stealth Bomber with its identity reformed by carved Maori symbols, as well as Mihaia 2010, a near full-scale Russian BRDM-2 scout car, was shown at the Sydney Biennale, 2010. His many public commissions include Kahukura, for the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia, and Whaowhia for the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

For a complete list of available works by Brett Graham please contact the gallery HERE

www.brettgraham.co.nz