Auckland based artist Paul Radford studied at the School of Fine Arts Auckland and has exhibited throughout New Zealand for over 30 years. His body of work references both Pacific and modernist traditions. The mask-like heads bring to mind both Pacific Island totem figures and Brancusi-esque forms in a manner which welcomes exploration and interpretation. Repeatedly Radford’s blank faces lack distinguishing facial features but despite this, the forms evoke character and emotion through shade and painterly texture.

With a rich working history in commercial and set design as well an established grounding in fine arts practice, Radford is a technically virtuous painter whose work experiments with the nature of aesthetics of nature and visual knowledge. (more…)

Born in 1968, Louise Purvis studied at Napier Polytechnic 1987-88 and Waiariki Polytechnic (Rotorua) 1989-90, graduating with a Certificate in Craft Design, and Diploma of Craft Design (Maori). Now a resident of Auckland, Purvis’s primary mediums are stone and metals, and when not sculpting she subsidises her art work by assisting with stone masonry projects (including the recent refurbishment of Auckland’s St Matthews in the City church).

She describes her works as having “a simplicity to them which belies their actual making. recent work has been based around land forms and notations of marking and mapping.”

Louise is one of the 16 artists exhibiting at headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF for the first time in 2009. She is an artist who values the importance of humour, and enjoys twisting ideas around, animating static objects, or adding human characteristics to her works. For further reading on the talented Louise Purvis, her full bio can be viewed here, or check out her website here.

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. (more…)

Born in Tokyo, Kazu Nakagawa came to New Zealand in 1987, bringing with him a set of traditional Japanese cabinetmaker’s tools. His extraordinary skill at working with wood, immense patience and willingness to spend whatever it takes to achieve perfection have created some incredible works of art (see here).

Nakagawa has exhibited at previous headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF exhibitions and is himself a Waiheke Island local. For further information, visit www.kazunakagawa.com

Nic Moon graduated with an MFA from RMIT University Melbourne in 2002, and a BFA Canterbury University 1990. Her work employs developments of the modern industial age, using objects like large 3 metre long, commercial-scale saw blades, and turning them on themselves. As she sets to work on them with a plasma cutter they become the victims of their own function. By cutting into the saw blades she transforms them into decorative objects with a serious message. Hers is a comment on deforestation and the impact of her material on the environment. (more…)

Artist Gill Gatfield, lives her days in Whangaporaoa and holds both a Bachelor of Laws, and Masters of Fine Arts from The University of Auckland. She is a multi-media artist working across disciplines and exploring new media and processes in conceptual painting and abstract sculpture.

With a background in policy and law reform, Gill has developed an open, investigative approach to art-making and art practice. Predominantly self-taught, she began exhibiting abstract text and landscape paintings in 1999. Three years later, she gained entry to the University of Auckland Elam Masters programme, studying painting, installation and sculpture. (more…)

Graham Bennett is a graduate of The University of Canterbury, School of Fine Arts and College of Education. Born in Nelson, and now living in Christchurch, Graham has exhibited an extensive array of work both in New Zealand and Overseas.

This is the second time Graham has exhibited at headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF, and we once again look forward to seeing what creative artworks result.

To find out more about headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF artist, Graham Bennett check out his website (more…)

Christian Nicolson is a sculptor, painter, and videomaker. While some artists stick to one thing, Christian does not, preferring to be creative in as many ways as possible. He makes large installations in the landscape, and uses photography, printmaking and other methods to capture his work, mostly based in New Zealand.

On his website Christian points out that he “did not go to art school and wear paisley pants and suit jackets from an opportunity shop.” Although he continues, pointing out that he never found the paisley pants he was looking for so he studied design instead and still wore the suit jacket from the opportunity shop.

Christian left the world of design to follow his dreams and is now an accomplished sculptor that headland SCULPTURE ON THE GULF is proud to have exhibiting at the 2009 exhibition.