I am a South African/ New Zealand artist based in Dunedin, New Zealand. My background influences much of my work as I explore issues of colonialism, identity, invasion, the sins of the fathers, environment, spirit and everyday domestic life. My work is often personal as well as political. I wrestle daily with the notion of where home is as I realise that there is no return to where one came from and great difficulty in forming new roots.
I am South African born artist. I am from an Afrikaans father and English mother with Yorkshire roots. My surname has Danish roots and is that of an invader. Viking roots. Invaded Normandy. Invaded Jorvik (York). Invaded Africa. (1820 Settlers). Lately invading New Zealand.
I came to New Zealand in 1997, arriving (ironically) on the Queen’s birthday for an adventure. I forgot that adventures are temporary and moving is forever. You can’t go home to another place. And yet I have roots that have grown the other way – through my children and grandchildren. I have two tiny grandchildren who are Tangata Whenua, grounded in this place. And so I stay and slowly allow my roots to mingle with theirs.
I hold a BFA and MFA from the Otago Polytechnic School of Art.
I am South African born artist. I am from an Afrikaans father and English mother with Yorkshire roots. My surname has Danish roots and is that of an invader. Viking roots. Invaded Normandy. Invaded Jorvik (York). Invaded Africa. (1820 Settlers). Lately invading New Zealand.
I came to New Zealand in 1997, arriving (ironically) on the Queen’s birthday for an adventure. I forgot that adventures are temporary and moving is forever. You can’t go home to another place. And yet I have roots that have grown the other way – through my children and grandchildren. I have two tiny grandchildren who are Tangata Whenua, grounded in this place. And so I stay and slowly allow my roots to mingle with theirs.
I hold a BFA and MFA from the Otago Polytechnic School of Art.