Fred Graham (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura/Māori) is largely regarded as one of the pioneers of Sculpture in New Zealand. He has been honoured many times for his contribution to Art. For example, in 2018 he was the recipient of the Icon Award from the New Zealand Arts Foundation and he was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Māori Art.
When Jim Innes gifted Riverhaven Artland a carved Totara sculpture ‘Who am I’ created in approx 1970s by Fred Graham, it was an opportunity to reach out and ask him to visit. At last year’s Riverhaven Artland Summer Sculpture Weekend raising money for Franklin Hospice Fred offered to help further support if he could.
Guy Blundell asked Fred if he would like to create a work which could be sold, with the money raised going to Franklin Hospice. He liked the idea and went ahead creating a wooden model of what was to be made.
Over the last year with the help of an amazing and generous Local Fabricator Grant McIntosh from Kawakawa Bay, who gifted his time and amazing skills, as his Dad was looked after by Hospice and he wanted to pay the kindness forward. He also roped in his friends from Profile Metals who cut the metal at cost for the project.
What started as an idea become a reality.
‘Kāhu’ (Hawk) 2022
Marine grade Stainless Steel
Edition of the 3 small maquettes (330mm H x 550mm W x 230mm D)
1 large final work (900mm H x 1680mm W x 720mm D)
Available as part of this year’s Riverhaven Artland Summer Sculpture Weekend (Auckland Anniversary Weekend 28-30 January 2023) There is an edition of the 3 small ‘Kāhu’ maquettes (330mm H x 550mm W x 230mm D)
The 1 large final ‘Kāhu’ work (900mm H x 1680mm W x 720mm D) will be at Riverhaven Artland for viewing at the upcoming event. Then it is going off to Art + Object https://artandobject.co.nz to be auctioned on the 2 May at 6pm 2023.
All proceeds will go to help Franklin Hospice provide essential palliative services to the Franklin community.
Please go ahead and buy your tickets online to support the event:
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/riverhaven-artland-summer-sculpture-weekend-2023-tickets-405984208697https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/riverhaven-artland-summer-sculpture-weekend-2023-tickets-405984208697
