Fiona Pardington to Represent New Zealand at 2026 Venice Biennale with Ornithological Photography
Creative New Zealand has revealed that Fiona Pardington will showcase her work at the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion during the 61st Venice Biennale. Pardington, who was born in Auckland in 1961, has an impressive nearly 50-year career as a still-life photographer and has Māori and Scottish roots. Her new project, titled "Taharaki Skyside," will expand on her 2024 exhibition, "Te taha o te rangi / The edge of the heavens," at Starkwhite gallery in Auckland, focusing on endangered native bird species. The Venice exhibition will feature taxidermied birds, exploring themes like life, death, and cultural significance. The pavilion opens on May 9 and is co-curated by Chloe Cull and Felicity Milburn. In 2016, Pardington received the Frances Hodgkins Fellowship and was made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters.
Key facts
- Fiona Pardington selected for Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion at 61st Venice Biennale
- Announcement made by Creative New Zealand
- Pardington born 1961 in Auckland, photographer of Māori and Scottish descent
- Venice project "Taharaki Skyside" expands on 2024 exhibition at Starkwhite gallery
- Focus on taxidermied birds from museums in region and Australia
- Explores themes of colonialism, cultural preservation, identity, memory
- Co-curated by Chloe Cull and Felicity Milburn from Christchurch Art Gallery
- Pavilion opens May 9, jointly presented by Creative New Zealand and Christchurch Art Gallery
Entities
Artists
- Fiona Pardington
- Chloe Cull
- Felicity Milburn
- Sanle Yan
Institutions
- Creative New Zealand
- Christchurch Art Gallery
- Starkwhite
- ArtAsiaPacific
- French Government
- Venice Biennale
- Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- South Canterbury Museum
- Canterbury Museum
Locations
- Auckland
- New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Venice
- Italy
- Australia
- Wellington
- Timaru
- Aotearoa