Artwork Information

Peter Peryer has commented on a number of occasions that some of his photographs appear to be split into 2 halves; such is the case of his image Divided School. A Hokianga school is shown to have been made at 2 periods; in the late 19th century and in the c1930s period. Now derelict, the school testifies to the fact that once there were a number of schools in Northland which were called Māori schools due to the significant number of Māori pupils who attended them.

The artist has taken a point of view which ensures that the entire frontage of each building is included; beyond a concrete playground. By showing the school as now abandoned and without any current use Peryer alludes to the massive migration from the Hokianga which occurred after the end of World War II.