Commissioner
JENNY HARPER - COMMISSIONER
Director
Christchurch Art Gallery
Te Puna o Waiwhetu
Jenny Harper has been a leader in the public arts domain in New Zealand for more than 20 years.
After completing studies in London and Sydney, she worked in Australian galleries, returning in the mid-1980s to be Senior Curator of International Art at New Zealand's National Art Gallery. She also worked in the institutional planning team for the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Project Board, before becoming the last director of the National Art Gallery until 1990 legislative change amalgamated the former National Art Gallery and Museum.
Before being appointed to her present position in Christchurch, Jenny Harper spent 12 years at Victoria University of Wellington. During that time she developed the art history department, becoming the inaugural head of a larger school of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies in 2000. In 2003 she was appointed to the role of Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic). The ambitious Adam Art Gallery at Victoria University was developed and completed under her leadership.
Jenny Harper became Director of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu in October 2006. She was also Commissioner for New Zealand at La Biennale di Venezia in 2009.
Commissioner's Statement
It is with great pleasure that New Zealand presents the work of Michael Parekowhai at the 54th La Biennale di Venezia in 2011. This is the fifth time New Zealand has presented the work of its contemporary artists in Venice and I thank Creative New Zealand, the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa, as well as all other donors and supporters of the artist for their huge financial and other assistance with this major project.
Michael Parekowhai is a highly-respected artist who is representative of the best of New Zealand contemporary art practice. On first looking into Chapman's Homer is topical and polished; he will create a sense of drama and surprise for the large audiences who go to see La Biennale di Venezia in 2011. Michael Parekowhai's work operates on many different levels of meaning and, most certainly, he will contribute to the growth of New Zealand's reputation as an increasingly significant player on the world stage.
Michael Parekowhai is to exhibit in a quintessentially Venetian building and his response to this site – both the specific palazzo and the city of Venice during the Biennale – will underscore his reputation as an artist who fluently combines artifice with aspects of high culture. The work has several components, each of which is familiar and also uncannily unique and of New Zealand. The whole will become a boldly different foray, an unexpected Maori Kapa Haka presented in Europe with confidence.
A special aspect of the conception of On first looking into Chapman's Homer is its inter-disciplinary nature. Its potential for performance is crucial to its presentation and effectively the work is finished by the musicians and audience.
On first looking into Chapman's Homer will be accessible on differing levels, ensuring its reach to communities of local Venetians as well as its status as a 'must-see' attraction for Biennale visitors. As Commissioner, it is a special privilege to commend Michael Parekowhai to all.
Jenny Harper
New Zealand Commissioner
Venice Biennale 2011
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