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Art Icons of New Zealand: Lines in the Sand

Stead, Oliver

There are certain images, art objects and art styles that have embedded themselves in the consciousness of many New Zealanders. They may not know the artist but they know the work. Some, like McCahon’s Victory over Death 2, have attained an almost celebrity-like fame. Why have these images insinuated themselves into our visual vocabulary? Stead has selected 40 iconic works and put them into the context of New Zealand art history. An introductory essay explains the selection. Each artwork has a double page spread with a brief essay on the artist and the work depicted. Don Binney: Sun shall not burn Thee by day nor moon by night, Patrick Hanly: Figures in Light, Gretchen Albrecht: Leda, Richard Killeen: Book of the Hook, Tony Fomison: Let each decide yes let each decide, Philip Clairmont: Fireplace, Robin White: Sam Hunt at the Portobello Pub, Bill Hammond: Placemakers 2, Selwyn Muru: Waharoa, Marti Friedlander: Road towards Mt Cook, Ralph Hotere: Rosemary, Dick Frizzell: Black Geisha, Robin Morrison: K Rd, Jeffery Harris: Papatuanuku e takoto nei, Shane Cotton: Pararaiha, Chris Booth: Rainbow Warrior memorial, Michael Parekowhai: Ten Guitars, Michael Tuffery: Povi Vau Vaga, Filipe Tohi: Lalavometry, Gustavus Ferdinand von Tempsky: Two men of the 65th Regiment. Other artists are Robyn Kahukiwa, Michael Smither, Ani O’Neil, Len Lye.

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Finalist in the 2009 Montana New Zealand Book Awards, Lifestyle and Contemporary category.

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