Robert Jahnke at Sydney Contemporary 2018

Robert Jahnke

PAULNACHE

Robert Jahnke

PhD, MFA (Hons) Auckland., MFA Calif., DipTchg

‘Ata’ in te reo Maori references artistic concerns such as reflection, form, light and shadow, but also refers to the act of deliberation.

Professor Robert Jahnke’s Ata explores Maori creation narratives and prophetic imagery through light and reflection.

This body of wall mounted and free standing installation works explore reflection of neon text and pattern inspired by the practices of Ivan Navarro and Paolo Scirpa.

The technique results in a repetition of pattern that appears infinite but disappears into a void of darkness. Through these optical effects Jahnke endeavours to capture the Maori notion of the emergence of Te Ao Marama the world of light from the darkness of Te Po.

Kaokao as part of Installation Contemporary curated by Nina Miall: Kaokao is a tukutuku chevron pattern found in Maori tribal houses that signifies fortitude and virility. Compositionally it aligns with the haka stance assumed as a prelude to war or in celebration of victory. The Kaokao chevron configuration is created by bringing together two crosses (X’s) with a bilateral inversion of the chevron to create the ‘K’ figure associated with Polynesian art. It is a motif that appears as an inverted ‘W’ pattern representing rows of headless humans, elbows on knees, on Austral Islands adzes. It is no coincidence that the double cross also aligns with many of the Maori signatures on the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.

Kaokao continues Robert Jahnke’s engagement with transformative tukutuku (tribal house lattice work), conditioned in its first showing at headland Sculpture on the Gulf on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf by an engagement with site (the Whetumatarau land block on the Island) and tangata whenua (Ngati Paoa). It was conceived as a cultural beacon to create a viewing portal that framed a heritage site on the Whetumatarau headland to remind people of a history of land alienation and the two waves of settlement on Waiheke Island: Maori and European.

List of works Ata Series: «Taimana kahurangi, Taimana whero, Taimana kowhai», 2014–2016, Wood, paint, neon, one way glass, mirror, electricity, 1470 × 1470 × 140cm, $60,000 set / $20,000 each «Ata tuatahi», 2016, MDF, paint, neon, one way glass, mirror, electricity, 1473 × 1506 × 1450mm, $25,000 «Navarro patiki kikorangi, ma, Navarro patiki whero», Wood, paint, neon, one way electricity, 1470 × 1470 × set / $20,000 each

Navarro patiki 2014–2016, glass, mirror, 140cm, $60,000

Installation Contemporary: «Kaokao», 2017/18, Powder coated mild steel, powder coated aluminium, mirror pane glass, neon and electricity, 240 × 400 × 60cm, $100,000

Biography Robert Jahnke’s work champions modern Maori art and uses it to highlight important cultural issues. His works focus on peoples differing perceptions of reality according to historical facts and circumstance. Drawing inspiration from his current social environment, the influence of his studies at the California Institute of Art continues to inform his practice. Jahnke’s works are defined through their questioning and challenging of the established Eurocentric narration of New Zealand’s history; he promotes and champions the Maori experience within his considered contemporary metaphor.

Robert (Bob) Jahnke was born in Waipiro Bay (East Coast of the North Island, Aotearoa New Zealand) in 1951 of Ngai Taharora, Te Whanau a Iritekura, Te Whanau a Rakiroa o Ngati Porou decent.

Jahnke is the former Head of the School of Maori Art, Knowledge and Education at Massey University in Palmerston North. He is currently the Professor of Maori Visual Arts for the Toioho ki Apiti Maori Visual Arts programme. He is responsible for setting up the first Maori Visual Arts degree in a university: a Bachelor of Maori Visual Arts in 1995, a Postgraduate Diploma of Maori Visual Arts and a Master of Maori Visual Arts in 1999.

Jahnke contributes to Maori Development through his teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, his research into traditional Maori carving and his academic writing straddling art education, contemporary and traditional Maori art, and identity politics.

Jahnke is also an artist whose practice over the years has straddled design, illustration, animation and sculpture. Since his solo exhibition in 1990, Jahnke has maintained his practice as a sculptor with a number of commissions and exhibitions including the Ranginui Door at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Spinning Top at Woodward Street in Wellington, Maui pou ASB Waterfont Theatre Auckland, Twin Hulls at the University of Auckland Tamaki Campus, Waharoa and entrance for Mana Tamariki with Tennet and Brown Architects and concrete relief panels for St. Brigid’s church in Feilding. Recently his practice has included painting and neon installation.

Jahnke is represented in a number of major collections including The Sir James Wallace Collection, Dame Jenny Gibbs, Kevin Roberts, Chris Parkin, Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland City Art Gallery and The Chartwell Trust among others.

Robert Jahnke is represented by PAULNACHE.

PAULNACHE Upstairs 89 Grey Street Gisborne 4010 New Zealand now@paulnache.com +64 274 736 245 Matthew Nache Director

Sydney Contemporary Sydney Contemporary https://sydneycontemporary.com.au Prof. Robert Jahnke http://www.paulnache.com/robert-jahnke PAULNACHE http://www.paulnache.com

Acknowledgements Text: © the artist, courtesy PAULNACHE Photography: Jeff McEwan / Capture Studios Project: Ata at Sydney Contemporary 2018 Cover: «Ata tuatahi» Spread: «Taimana whero, Taimana kahurangi» Back: «Taimana kowhai»