21 Jan 2025
Esteemed artist Fiona Pardington MNZM (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht) will represent New Zealand at La Biennale di Venezia in 2026.
The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa is pleased to endorse the artist selection made by its new delivery partner, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.
Fiona says being asked to exhibit in Aotearoa New Zealand’s national pavilion in Venice is an unexpected and extraordinary moment in her career.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled by this incredible opportunity to represent Aotearoa at the Venice Biennale. I am profoundly grateful that my work is appreciated like this and for all the people furiously paddling the waka who have brought me to this point. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini,” Fiona says.
Christchurch Art Gallery’s Director, Blair Jackson, is delighted the gallery is working with such an exceptional artist.
“Fiona has an impressive history of practice that spans more than four decades,” he says.
“She is rightly renowned for the emotional intensity of her photographs and responsible for some of the most memorable images in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand artmaking. Her ability to convey the intangible makes viewing her works a powerful and exhilarating experience,” Blair says.
After first drawing recognition in the 1980s, Fiona Pardington’s work has continued to evolve, most often operating within, and extending, the still-life genre. Her evocative photographs of taonga and other objects from museum collections are sharply attentive to context and history while retaining an elusive quality.
Creative New Zealand appointed Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū as its delivery partner for Aotearoa New Zealand’s national pavilion, following a thorough process.
Signalled last year, the new partnership ensures the project’s day-to-day management is overseen by a partner with extensive skills, knowledge, and expertise in the curation and delivery of large-scale exhibitions.
This is a strong and practical approach to maintaining Aotearoa New Zealand’s presence at Venice, says New Zealand’s Commissioner for the Venice Biennale and Arts Council Chair, Kent Gardner.
“We’re thrilled to have a partner with the expertise and vision to deliver an excellent presentation at Venice following on from 2024’s historic number of invited New Zealand artists. Mataaho Collective’s win of the Golden Lion for Best Participant was an extraordinary achievement and has shone the light on New Zealand and its artists,” he says.
“The Arts Council is extremely supportive of NZ at Venice, and has committed to national pavilion exhibitions in 2026, 2028 and 2030,” Kent says.
Christchurch Art Gallery is working on preparations to deliver the national pavilion in 2026, says Director, Blair Jackson.
“We’ve been working closely with Creative New Zealand, and we’re excited to move ahead with plans for Venice 2026. Our experienced and highly skilled team is looking forward to operating in this special context to bring the art of Aotearoa to an international audience. Creative collaboration with artists is what powers us as an institution, and it’s a privilege to be able to set the direction for 2026,” says Blair.
Creative New Zealand’s commitment to ongoing support for Venice was confirmed in 2022, following an external review into the project’s long-term sustainability. The recommendation was for an external delivery partner to run the day-to-day logistics, while Creative New Zealand’s role would be focused on maintaining and strengthening its relationship with the Biennale and providing ongoing, stable levels of funding.
Stephen Wainwright, Creative New Zealand’s Chief Executive, says Christchurch Art Gallery has had a long association with Venice.
“The gallery’s team has been affiliated with Aotearoa New Zealand’s presence at the Biennale for many years, including in 2009, 2011, and 2013 when former director Jenny Harper was the Commissioner. It’s great to build upon this history, while creating an opportunity for New Zealand curators to work in the extraordinary and historic environment of the Venice Biennale,” says Stephen.
More information and detail about Fiona Pardington’s project will be shared later in 2025.
Media contact:
Lucy.orbell@creativenz.govt.nz
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Creative New Zealand makes long-term commitment to New Zealand presence at Venice Biennale
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