Living as she does within a bicultural and contemporary New Zealand, Lisa Reihana's photographic, screen-based and often cinematically-scaled art work draws upon and finds new expression for, her indigenous and multi-cultured identity. Lisa's artwork extends the conventions of lens-based art practices in innovative ways that experiment with her chosen medium and creates new expressions of indigenous culture and place.

In this interview with the artist, Lisa reflects on the importance of her maternal 'line', and the women that have shaped her sensibility and language as a creative person, including that of her Jewish grandmother. Her art practice is a living expression of her faith in the legacy and power of kinship, often drawing on her friends and family as models for her photographic and moving image works. Lisa speaks here about her ongoing work from 2001, Digital Marae and Rangimarie Last Dance, a sculptural installation recently commissioned for the foyer of the new Q Theatre, Auckland and reflects upon the women, friends and family who constellate her artistic life, past and present.

Lisa Reihana exhibits in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Sydney and her work has been featured in exhibitions in the US, France, New Caledonia, Malaysia, Germany and Australia. Her work is held in collections at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, Staatlich Museen of Berlin in Germany and Susan O'Connor Foundation in Texas, USA.

 

 

With the support of Creative New Zealand.