Alexis Neal
Biography
Alexis Neal graduated from Auckland University Elam School of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Post Graduate diploma in 1997, and went on to complete a Masters degree in Fine Art Media at the Slade School of Fine Arts in London where she also worked as a teaching assistant in etching on summer school workshops.
Since her return to New Zealand, Alexis has continued to develop her professional practice as a contemporary artist. Alongside her professional career, Alexis has held tutoring positions in both academic and community institutions working with the wider community.
As a practising artist her work refers to issues of cultural identity and predominately her work has looked at the duality of artefacts in terms of personal adornment and material culture. Her studio practice is interdisciplinary, combining components of print, weaving and installation, to address Tikanga Maori traditions within a contemporary context.
Alexis has exhibited extensively in New Zealand in both group and solo exhibitions since the mid ‘90s. She has exhibited internationally participating in exhibitions in London, Melbourne, Sydney, United Sates and Norway.
Primarily the back bone of Alexis Neal’s practice is the medium of print. She has studied Maori weaving for several years now, transforming her practice creating contemporary Taonga. The combination of these interests has made her push the print medium into three dimensions, weaving works and compiling multiple layers of colour and patterning, referencing the weaves of Raranga Whakairo.
The exploration of cultural identity, the value of history and the complexities of human connection are contemplated, to show how artefacts can be both personal adornment and remnants of material culture. Here, the Maori story is rendered with European materials. It’s a simple, effective weave. It is social and personal, cultural and human. It includes you.
- http://www.alexisneal.com/statement.html (accessed Feb 2022)
Since her return to New Zealand, Alexis has continued to develop her professional practice as a contemporary artist. Alongside her professional career, Alexis has held tutoring positions in both academic and community institutions working with the wider community.
As a practising artist her work refers to issues of cultural identity and predominately her work has looked at the duality of artefacts in terms of personal adornment and material culture. Her studio practice is interdisciplinary, combining components of print, weaving and installation, to address Tikanga Maori traditions within a contemporary context.
Alexis has exhibited extensively in New Zealand in both group and solo exhibitions since the mid ‘90s. She has exhibited internationally participating in exhibitions in London, Melbourne, Sydney, United Sates and Norway.
Primarily the back bone of Alexis Neal’s practice is the medium of print. She has studied Maori weaving for several years now, transforming her practice creating contemporary Taonga. The combination of these interests has made her push the print medium into three dimensions, weaving works and compiling multiple layers of colour and patterning, referencing the weaves of Raranga Whakairo.
The exploration of cultural identity, the value of history and the complexities of human connection are contemplated, to show how artefacts can be both personal adornment and remnants of material culture. Here, the Maori story is rendered with European materials. It’s a simple, effective weave. It is social and personal, cultural and human. It includes you.
- http://www.alexisneal.com/statement.html (accessed Feb 2022)
b.1974
Place Of Birth
Nationality