Young Māori Model Resting
Christopher Perkins, Artist
About the Work
Perkins
has
been
credited
with
bringing
Modern
Art
to
New
Zealand
with
his
arrival
in
1929,
this
work
would
have
been
made
when
the
the
family
moved
to
Rotorua.
"The family had moved to Rotorua because it was thought the climate would improve Berry Perkins's health, but the availability of Māori subjects was another attraction. Perkins greatly admired Māori art, and his portraits of Māori sitters are devoid of any hint of condescension. Nevertheless, some unpublished book illustrations and the combination of forms borrowed from Māori carving with human figures in 'Haka' may raise for later viewers the issue of cultural appropriation, or – in the case of 'Māori meeting' – exploitative exoticism. In working from the first version of this painting towards the final version (1932–34), Perkins placed more stress on the Māoriness of his subjects, removing some evidence of European influence and inserting what he considered to be more typically Māori details. Romanticism is here in clear conflict with his approach to landscape"
R. D. J. Collins. 'Perkins, Christopher Edward - Biography', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Sep-10
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/4p9/1
"The family had moved to Rotorua because it was thought the climate would improve Berry Perkins's health, but the availability of Māori subjects was another attraction. Perkins greatly admired Māori art, and his portraits of Māori sitters are devoid of any hint of condescension. Nevertheless, some unpublished book illustrations and the combination of forms borrowed from Māori carving with human figures in 'Haka' may raise for later viewers the issue of cultural appropriation, or – in the case of 'Māori meeting' – exploitative exoticism. In working from the first version of this painting towards the final version (1932–34), Perkins placed more stress on the Māoriness of his subjects, removing some evidence of European influence and inserting what he considered to be more typically Māori details. Romanticism is here in clear conflict with his approach to landscape"
R. D. J. Collins. 'Perkins, Christopher Edward - Biography', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Sep-10
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/4p9/1
Measurements
Image: 395 x 315mm
Media
pencil and watercolour on paper
Description
Drawing of a nude Māori woman seated with her arms folded and a red and black striped blanket over her knees.
Credit Line
Collection of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. Purchased with funds bequeathed by Caroline Doris White, 1977.
Collection Type
Permanent collection
Acquisition Date
12 Dec 1977