Sculptor awarded Creative New Zealand’s New York residency
The past and present lives of Native Americans in New York will be the focus for sculptor Brett Graham (Ngati Koroki
Kahukura) as recipient of Creative New Zealand’s visual arts residency at the ISCP (International Studio and Curatorial
Program).
Graham will spend four months in the city researching his project, ‘Generation 15’, exploring the impact of the tribes
that once occupied the area. His work marks almost 400 years since Manhattan was ‘bought’ for $US24 in 1626.
One of New Zealand’s most accomplished sculptors, Brett Graham is highly regarded for his ability to turn complex
historical and cultural ideas into strong sculptural forms. His work embraces the histories of Māori and other
indigenous peoples, exploring issues of cultural inequalities, past and present.
Graham’s work is in major national collections including Te Papa Tongarewa and he has taken part in many national and
international exhibitions, such as the collateral programme of the 2007 Venice Biennale, the 2010 Biennale of Sydney and
Sakahàn: International Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Canada in 2013.
“I am excited to have this opportunity to partake in the ISCP programme, meet artists and curators from around the world
and also continue a dialogue with Native American artists that began with the Te Maori exhibition in 1984,” he says.
Graham will be based at the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP), a not-for-profit, residency-based
contemporary arts centre for artists and curators from around the world. Founded in 1994, the ISCP has hosted more than
1,600 artists and curators from more than 55 countries.
There were twice as many applications for the ISCP Creative New Zealand Visual Arts Residency this year as in 2012 and
many of these applications were of extremely high quality.
Previous recipients of the residency are Kate Newby (2012); Judy Millar (2010); Sriwhana Spong (2008); Gavin Hipkins
(2006); Christopher Braddock (2004); Lisa Crowley (2002) and Ronnie van Hout (2000).