Charlotte Graham Explained

Charlotte Graham (born 1972) is a contemporary Māori artist living in her tribal homelands of Auckland. She is a mandated artist for her iwi Ngāti Whanaunga. She sits on the Te Uru Contemporary Gallery board and is also part of the Te Atinga Committee. Her works are held at the Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tāmaki, the Chartwell collection, James Wallace Collection, many universities and private collections throughout the world. Of Māori and Scottish descent, Graham identifies with Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāti Pāoa Ngāti Tamaoho Te Akitai Waiohua and Ngāti Kōtimana.

Early life

Charlotte Graham was born in 1972 in Perth, Western Australia, to Māori parents from New Zealand. The family moved back to Auckland, New Zealand six months after Graham was born. Graham has a number of relatives who have been practicing artists, including aunt Emily Karaka, uncle Mikaara Kirkwood, cousins Te Rongo Kirkwood and Reuben Kirkwood. Graham's two older sisters Teresa Grahsm and Raewyn Graham are also artists.[1]

Graham attended Mount Roskill Grammar School.

Education

Graham graduated with a Post- graduate diploma in Māori Visual Arts from Massey University in 2001.[2] She studied under Robert Jahnke, Shane Cotton and Kura Te Waru Rewiri as one of the first graduate students for the degree.

After completing her post-graduate studies in Māori visual art, Graham trained as a teacher (Auckland University) and worked at secondary schools in Auckland, including Māori boarding school St Stephens, while continuing to make art. She also worked full time as a Kaihangatoi (Māori art tutor) at Mason Clinic, WDHB, forensic psychiatric services.[3]

Career

Graham's art practice draws on her Māori heritage to explore critical issues that affect New Zealand society such as racism, cultural stereotyping and land rights, particularly the controversial foreshore and seabed legislation. Frequently her works incorporate Treaty of Waitangi and Māori motifs. Graham cites her grandmother, Rose Isobel Simons, as a key creative influence on her life. Graham believes that the foreshore and seabed controversy was the issue that gave her the political drive as an artist.

Solo exhibitions

Group exhibitions

Awards and residencies

Personal life

Graham's has four children.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BRITOMART PEOPLE / CHARLOTTE GRAHAM. 2018-12-06. Britomart. en-NZ. 2019-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20190428062736/https://britomart.org/britomart-people-charlotte-graham/. 28 April 2019. dead.
  2. News: Who's doing what in the arts. Jefferies. Lyndal. 2006-07-13. Gulf News.
  3. News: Artist humbled by global interest. Morgan. Scott. 2007-07-20. Central Leader.
  4. News: Recommended. McNamara. T. J.. 2004-05-02. The New Zealand Herald.
  5. News: Political puppets pack a punch. Gifford. Adam. 2005-11-23. The New Zealand Herald.
  6. News: The guardians of spirituality. McNamara. T. J.. 2015-07-04. Weekend Herald.
  7. Web site: Ngā Ringa Raupā - Charlotte Graham. Māori Television. en. 2019-04-28.
  8. Web site: Te Waiora - a Christmas connection in Auckland. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AOTEAROA. 17 December 2018 . en-US. 2019-04-28.
  9. News: What the critics say. McNamara. T. J.. 2002-03-04. The New Zealand Herald.
  10. News: Recommended. McNamara. T. J.. 2003-11-05. The New Zealand Herald.
  11. July 2004. Confusion in exhibition. Tu Mai. 34.
  12. News: Recommended. McNamara. T. J.. 2004-10-27. The New Zealand Herald.
  13. News: Permission to paint. Jones. Angela. 2004-10-10. Sunday Star Times.
  14. Borell. Nigel. 2004-10-31. Rites of cultural heritage. Tu Mai. 36–37.
  15. News: View cutting edge pieces. Craymer. Lucy. 2004-11-10. Whakatane Beacon.
  16. News: Weighty paper works. Jackson. Penelope. 2004-12-08. Bay of Plenty Times.
  17. News: Who's doing what in the arts. Jefferies. Lyndal. 2005-06-09. Gulf News.
  18. 2005-08-31. An exploration of the tiki image. Tu Mai. 28–30.
  19. Web site: Metro. Metro. www.metromag.co.nz. en. 2019-04-28.
  20. Web site: Art exhibition challenges perceptions around the 'discovery' of New Zealand. Stuff. en. 2019-04-28.
  21. Web site: Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art - Announcements - e-flux . 2024-05-14 . www.e-flux.com . en.
  22. Web site: Majesty of southern Chile's natural environment and culture to inspire prolific Māori visual artist. www.creativenz.govt.nz. en. 2019-04-28.