TE RONGO KIRKWOOD

ABOUT

Te Rongo Kirkwood’s practice engages in a dialogue between tradition and innovation, exploring universalism and  themes of archetypal and esoteric symbolism and the interconnectedness of humanity with the natural world.  Her multidisciplinary approach combines art glass with materials such as steel, fibre and film.

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Kirkwood approaches her art as a fluid conversation between material and concept. Whether through glass, performance, or mixed media, she strives to create works that challenge perceptions and provoke contemplation. Her process combining the interplay of light, texture, and form, blends aspects of a Maori world view with contemporary methodologies to produce pieces that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

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Her works are imbued with a sense of lineage and continuity, serving as bridges between the tangible and the intangible, the historical and the contemporary, navigating the fluid boundaries between past, present, and future, inviting viewers into narratives where time and space converge, embodying a perspective on continuity and transformation.

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In 2024, Kirkwood’s work The Seer, The Seen, The Seeing became the first piece by a New Zealand artist to be commissioned for the Rakow Acquisitional Commission at the Corning Museum of Glass. This multi-faceted project encompassed sculptural form and a performance piece, encapsulating her ongoing exploration of preservation and transformation. These themes lie at the heart of her work, transcending medium and engaging with the universality of human experience.

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As an artist navigating global discourses, Kirkwood aims to contribute to a richer, more inclusive international narrative. Her work is a celebration of indigenous perspectives, a call to honour cultural specificity while embracing universal connections.

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Represented by Milford Galleries, Dunedin, NZ

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