Professor Jahnke is currently the Head of The School of Maori Studies, and Maori Visual Arts Programme Coordinator at Massey University, with research specialties in Māori visual arts, and the history of Māori visual culture (traditional/contemporary).

Born in Waipiro Bay in 1951, Robert Jahnke originally trained in design and film, but has since become a leading sculptor in New Zealand artistic circles. His mixed German/Samoan/Maori/Irish ancestry epitomises the makeup of modern New Zealand. Jahnke is an advocate for biculturalism, with tribal affiliations to Te Whanau a Rakairoa, Te Whanau a Iritekura, Ngai Taharora, and Ngati Porou.

Jahnke’s work makes use of the difference in people’s perceptions of reality according to their history and circumstances. His work results in intellectual and provocative art, using ambiguity and double ententre of language, symbols and numerals to create religious and cultural references that often go beyond interpretation.

New to headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF for 2009, we welcome Professor Jahnke, and look forward to seeing his work out on the Island next January. For further reading. a great interview with Robert Jahnke can be found here.

Tags: Artist, Robert Jahnke

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