Ralph Hotere (1974)
Channel: Archives New Zealand
Date: 2013-02-27

On 24 February 2013 New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere (1931 – 2013) died in Dunedin.

Hotere was born in Northland, from Te Aupouri and Te Rarawa descent, and is widely regarded as one of New Zealand's most important artists. In 1994 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Otago and in 2012 he was created a Member of the Order of New Zealand. 

Hotere was known for art works with minimalism, strong political themes, and the use of unusual media such as corrugated iron and steel within the context of two-dimensional art.  

He worked with poets such as Hone Tuwhare and Bill Manhire to produce several paintings, and created other works specifically for the New Zealand literary journal Landfall. Hotere also worked in collaboration with other prominent artists, notably Bill Culbert. The series known as the ‘Black Paintings’ (1984-1988) is one of his best known, and is now a major installation in the collection of Te Papa Tongarewa.

The film ‘Ralph Hotere’ was produced in 1974 by the National Film  Unit (NFU), the collection of which is held at Archives NZ. Directed by Sam Pillsbury, it centres on Hotere’s creation of a large mural commissioned for the Founder’s Theatre in Hamilton. Throughout are glimpses of Hotere’s private life and interviews with friends and fascinating shots of Hotere working (including making art by photocopying or 'xerography'). 


Further background content and commentary on this film can be found on New Zealand On Screen's website:
http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/ralph-hotere-1974


This film may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. The content reflects the attitudes or language of the period in which the records were created and does not reflect the views of Archives New Zealand. 



 Archives reference: AAPG 22244/308 1419 

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