Update 2 April 2025: Wastelands is now expected to go on display at the Gallery in June 2025 instead of May 2025.
Wednesday 26 February 2025
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is delighted to announce the acquisition of Wastelands, 2024 by contemporary artist Brett Graham (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Tainui).
The sculpture was commissioned for the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia 2024. The Biennale Arte 2024 – the world’s leading exhibition of contemporary art – was curated by Adriano Pedrosa and titled Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere.
Wastelands is expected to go on display at the Gallery in May 2025.
Graham’s sculpture explores themes of colonial history, ecological concerns, and the ongoing relationship between Māori communities and the land – especially those stories rooted in his rohe of Waikato. The work challenges historical narratives, offering perspectives on cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and the enduring impact of colonial-era policies.
Brett Graham says: “I am thrilled that Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki have acquired this work that was commissioned for the Venice Biennale, Wastelands. This work carries stories close to home so it is warming to know that it will remain in Aotearoa. I’d like to thank the Gallery and the Patrons of the Gallery for their generosity and faith in my practice.”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director of Auckland Art Gallery, Kirsten Lacy, says: “This extraordinary artwork has already captured the attention of thousands of visitors to the Biennale, reflecting Graham’s exceptional skill in sculpture and storytelling. The acquisition of this nationally significant sculpture aligns with the Gallery’s mission to collect key works by leading Māori artists."
The acquisition was made with funds from the Patrons of Auckland Art Gallery, chaired by Chanelle Farmer, and the Gallery’s annual collection development budget. The Gallery contributed $217,500 towards the acquisition.
“Investing in this artwork enables New Zealanders to experience this powerful piece and its deep resonance with local histories and narratives, both now and in the future. We’re grateful to the Patrons for their generous and ongoing support, without which the acquisition of this work would not have been possible,” adds Lacy.
Established in 1987 by Dame Jenny Gibbs, the Patrons of Auckland Art Gallery was the first major philanthropic cultural support group in New Zealand. It is focused on the acquisition of artworks for the Gallery’s collection. Each year, the Patrons select a work from a shortlist recommended by the Gallery’s director and curatorial staff.
The work is a sculptural reinterpretation of a pātaka (Māori storehouse), adorned with carvings of tuna (eels) that reference Māori food economies and the environmental impact of colonial land policies. Wastelands addresses the legacy of the 1858 Waste Lands Act, which impacted Māori land rights including the ecological and cultural significance of the Waikato River and wetlands. Graham blends traditional Māori carving styles with contemporary materials and conceptual frameworks, inviting viewers to confront New Zealand’s colonial past while proposing new ways of relating to land and the environment.
In addition to acquiring Wastelands, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki was proud to support Aotearoa New Zealand’s presence at the Biennale Arte 2024 by lending three key works from its collection to the International Art Exhibition Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere. These works were:
- Sandy Adsett, Waipuna (1978). Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1995.
- Fred Graham, Whiti Te Ra (1966). Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2008.
- Selwyn Te Ngareatua Wilson, Study of a Head (1948) Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1948.