Fiona Pardington's Taxidermy Bird Photographs for New Zealand Pavilion at Venice Biennale
At the 61st Venice Biennale, the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion will feature "Taharaki Skyside," a series of striking large-scale photographs by Fiona Pardington, who belongs to the Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Clan Cameron of Erracht. These images showcase taxidermied birds collected from museums throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, exploring issues like colonial collecting, scientific classification, and the loss of culture. Pardington's art emphasizes the details of the birds' feathers and bodies, reflecting on themes of mortality and transcendence. This exhibition is organized by the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa in partnership with Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.
Key facts
- Fiona Pardington is the artist for the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale.
- The exhibition is titled Taharaki Skyside.
- The works are large-scale photographs of taxidermied manu (birds).
- The birds are from museum collections in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.
- The photographs examine colonial collecting, scientific classification, and cultural loss.
- Pardington's iwi affiliations include Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Clan Cameron of Erracht.
- The presentation is organized by the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.
- The photographs explore themes of mortality and transcendence.
Entities
Artists
- Fiona Pardington
Institutions
- Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
- Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Australia