8 Up-And-Coming New Zealand Artists To Watch Out For

New Zealand is home to many immensely talented individuals. From music artists such as Lorde and Kimbra to actors like Russell Crowe and Sam Neill, there’s no shortage of talent among Kiwis. Even though it is a relatively small country, it still has a huge impact on global pop culture. In fact, artists from New Zealand are becoming increasingly more popular as the years go on. While we may know the big names, there are some that we should be on the lookout for as they are certainly going places. So, here is a roundup of eight up-and-coming artists from New Zealand.

1. Michael Parekowhai

Michael Parekowhai is a sculptor based in Auckland, where he’s also a professor at the University of Auckland’s Elam School of Fine Arts. One of the older members of this roundup, Parekowhai has been awarded an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award in 2001 for his talent. On top of that, this New Zealand artist has represented his country at the 2011 Venice Biennale, which is a prestigious art organization.

Parehowhai’s suburban upbringing has impacted his work greatly, adding to his authenticity as an artist. Even though his main medium is sculpting, he also intersects it with photography and many more. He enjoys blurring the line between contemporary art and old-school approaches to create his own vision. His work has also been described as having the ability to sneak up on the observer, adding to its interpretation after every glance.

Having his first group exhibition in 1990, he’s only been rising to prominence and started receiving the recognition he deserves in recent years. He’s had over a dozen solo exhibitions as well as a handful of group ones, each portraying his uniqueness and ability in various ways. Additionally, his work is unique in its own sense as it transports the admirer into a different place and time, allowing for reflection.

Parekowhai’s work is shown in most New Zealand public gallery collections as well as also in several international museums. Hence, finding and appreciating his pieces is not a difficult task.

2. Lisa Black

Based in Auckland, this young NZ artist is an up-and-coming sculptor and jeweler. Even though she was born in Australia, her passion for animals and all their forms drove her to New Zealand where she currently creates. Through her art, she tries to showcase the connection between the technological progress in our society and nature, hence including animals and metal elements in the pieces.

Black’s work often includes elements of taxidermied animals or preserved insects, which she then connects with moving mechanical parts and metal pieces. Being a member of the contemporary art field. Furthermore, she has self-categorized her two collections of taxidermied sculptures – adding “Fixed” to the name for her pieces that are meant to look living, and “Departed” to those that are meant to look deceased. Her work can be described as “steampunk” mixed with taxidermy, making her art serve as a metaphor for life and all its creatures. With the use of screws, gears, and other metal elements in her creations, she is able to capture the true uncovered beauty of life.

What’s more, Black’s work has been included in the worldwide known magazine Marie Claire as well as the television show New Zealand’s Next Top Model. Her art has also been shown at more than a handful of exhibitions, both in New Zealand but also worldwide in Berlin, Rome, and San Diego.

3. David McCracken

David McCracken has developed his affinity for sculpting when he was a young teenager. In his twenties, this NZ artist worked a variety of odd jobs which ultimately helped him gain skills with glass and carbon fibre, steel fabrication, welding, and woodwork.

McCracken’s art can be described as a mix of various materials and ideas, merged into one extraordinary piece. He continues to experiment with his work each and every day, trying out different materials as well as carving methods. He doesn’t want to place himself in one box so he is always on the lookout for something new and innovative. Furthermore, McCracken has even designed a number of furniture items that were available as limited collections, giving his talent to others.

Currently, McCracken’s work is available for viewing on multiple online collections as well as in selected exhibitions across New Zealand. For his art, he has also received numerous awards and continues to do so to this day.

4. Bill Hammond

Born in 1947, he may not be a young NZ artist, but he is definitely one of the up-and-coming ones. Hammond was born in Christchurch (where most of his work is still displayed all year round) and currently resides in Lyttelton. He is a graduate of the University of Canterbury with a degree in Fine Arts. Upon graduating, he has moved on to working as a full-time painter.

When it comes to the style of his art, there are two most prevalent themes: references to popular music and creatures with avian heads and human-like limbs. Furthermore, his art is usually still, with little to no movement shown in his paintings. The reasoning behind this is to show that his characters are in no hurry and that they are relaxed – something he is trying to put more focus on in our society.

Being referred to as post-colonial gothic, Hammond is rising to fame across New Zealand rather quickly, and he has also received many accolades, both nationally as well as internationally.

His art can be seen all across New Zealand, but it is also available for viewing in collections online.

5. Pati Solomona Tyrell

Being one of the youngest artists on this list, Pati Solomona Tyrell became the youngest-ever artist who has been nominated for the prestigious Walters Prize in 2018.

Tyrell grew up in Hamilton and had only moved to Auckland to go to university, where he developed a huge interest in arts and creating. He describes his style as “interdisciplinary” as he doesn’t focus on one medium – he expresses himself through photography, film, performance, costume design, and even jewelry making. When asked for three words to describe himself, this talented NZ artist said: queer, indigenous, and Pacific. He also says that the way he identifies and his roots have a huge impact on his creativity and work.

Through his art, Tyrell tries to tell stories – about being queer, how identity matter regardless of what it might be, and so much more. Everything he experiences, he makes a point of including it in his art for others to feel as well. On top of that, using stories helps him create different narratives and ways of looking at current issues, which is important for understanding his art.

Even though he doesn’t have many spectacular accolades to show for his talent, his work is transcending expectations and he is achieving his goals step by step. Tyrell is a co-founder of FAFSWAG and his work has been shown in places such as St Paul Street Gallery in Auckland as well as in Dunedin Public Art Gallery. He also displays his work and where his next exhibition will be located on his Instagram.

6. Francis Upritchard

Being yet another graduate of the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Upritchard is based in London and creates a wide variety of contemporary art. Her initial interests lied in painting, but she quickly discovered a passion for sculpture during her first year of study.

Originally, her work referenced museums, artefacts, and ancient culture, but she diverged from those themes throughout her career. Her art often resembles clay-like creatures, people, and animals as well as includes small objects, such as sporting equipment. The merge of the two clashing themes ensures her uniqueness and makes her pieces unexpected and shockingly intriguing.

Upritchard is also a recipient of the Walters Prize award as well as she has represented New Zealand at Venice Biennale in 2008 with her collection.

7. Peter Robinson

This Kiwi artist is of Maori descent and often includes references to his heritage in his art. Robinson is not only a talented artist, but he’s also an associate professor at the Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland.

Peter Robinson has represented his country during the 2001 Venice Biennale and contributed to the same event in 2012. Initially, he was most known for his provocative and controversial treatment of racial issues, ethnicity, and identity. However, later on, he moved onto minimalism and approached his art from a different perspective. Robinson constantly develops the materials and techniques he uses and keeps his mind creatively sharp in all the ways that he can and it is clearly evident in his work.

On top of that, Robinson has been awarded the Walters Prize for his 2006 exhibition, Ack, and in 2016. he received a Laureate Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, which is a high honor.

8. Kushana Bush

This New Zealand artist based in Dunedin is best known for paintings that usually blend historic and contemporary styles. Her art is distinctive for its detailed and meticulous patterns and colors. She states her influences as ancient historical paintings, illuminated manuscripts, as well as ancient frescoes. Her early work focused on injured characters and still life, which she chose further develop through her years as a full-time artist.

What’s more, Bush’s childhood was spent surrounded by books on Asian history and art, which is also an area that draws inspiration from in terms of style and themes. For her work, Bush has been awarded several accolades, such as an Arts Foundation New Generation Award in 2013, as well as her collections have been held at international exhibitions.