A major touring exhibition celebrating the work of the late Fred Graham, one of New Zealand’s most influential sculptors, is now open at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.
Fred Graham: Toi Whakaata / Reflections brings together a selection of the artist’s iconic wood, stone and steel works, created between 1965 and 2013. It includes eight relief wall carvings and five freestanding sculptures, offering a rare opportunity for Christchurch visitors to experience the breadth of Graham’s six-decade career.
The late artist, who passed away on 9 May at the age of 97, was a pioneer of the contemporary Māori art movement. His work blended European modernism with Māori storytelling traditions, carving out a unique voice that helped shape New Zealand’s visual identity.
“We started to evolve our own form of art as a result of mixing both together,” Graham once said. “We should be expressing life as the time we’re living it, because, in turn, it becomes history.”
The Christchurch exhibition includes a special addition not shown elsewhere: Rangi me Papa, a major stainless steel sculpture from 1987, held in the Ara Institute art collection.
Christchurch Art Gallery curator Felicity Milburn said the exhibition encapsulates the depth and influence of Graham’s artistic legacy.
Courtesy of Te Uru Gallery
“These works are beautiful, evocative and incredibly skilful. Fred made an enormous contribution to the art of this country, and we’re very lucky to be able to show so much of his work here.”
Graham, of Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Tainui, was known for exploring enduring themes such as Māori history, the natural world, and birdlife, in works that appeared both in galleries and large-scale public spaces.
In recent years, his influence continued to grow. In 2024, Graham represented New Zealand at the Venice Biennale, exhibiting alongside his son Brett Graham and three other artists. He was also honoured with several major awards, including the Arts Foundation Icon Award in 2018 and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024.
Fred’s son Brett, himself an acclaimed sculptor, said his father’s work was always anchored in the land.
“Māori contemporary artists made visible an indigenous landscape that was buried under layers of colonial infrastructure and buildings. For all of his works, this was the first port of call. This is his legacy.”
The exhibition is open until 5 October. It launched on Saturday 31 May with a special talk featuring Brett Graham and Felicity Milburn, reflecting on the artist’s impact and the significance of his work.
Visitors can view Fred Graham: Toi Whakaata / Reflections during normal gallery hours. Admission is free.
