- This work was selected as a finalist in the NZ Painting and Printmaking Award in 2024. An accompanying poem I wrote for this piece titled “What We Sow” was also accepted as part of an indigenous poetry publication set to be released later this year. I will add details when the publication is released.
2023
Oil on Board, 24k Gold Leaf
This work is the first in a series in homage to Māori males and the multi-dimensionality of the strength in their more tender care. Taking from Klimt’s “The Kiss” I explore the complexity of daily love and male emotion outside public perception.
“Boy-ritto”
Inspired by my husband and son. We have good chats about a lot of things, but one of the things we discuss is the stigma of being a 6’1″ māori male that likes to wear hoodies and jandals. The men in my life are intelligent, gentle, protective and inspiring. They’re emotional, complex, goofy and often really quite simple and straightforward. They’re strong and supportive as well as needy and delicate. They’re fluctuating whole people with full and complete lives. They are so much more than the 2D stereotypes that can be used as political ammunition. In reading about The Kiss (by Klimt, which I’ve always been interested in aesthetically) I mainly enjoyed the flattening of dimensions and the visual exploration of love. However, in the kiss the love is itself very 2D and heavily sensual. My appropriation is an attempt at a slightly more multifaceted and complicated depiction. Sparing more waffle I wanted to both flatten and add dimension to my husband giving our son a hug as he was wrapped in a faux mink blanket like a “boyritto” (Cael’s word) and simply celebrate all the sides of these two perfectly flawed people that not many people see.
Hollie | Hollis 