Benjamin Work
YEAR OF RESIDENCY
April - July 2024
Benjamin Work is an artist, Tāmaki Makaurau-born and raised, with Ha’a Lātūhifo and Shetland whakapapa. Drawing on his Tongan heritage, Work has pushed his practice in new directions over the last decade. Inspired by his research throughout museums across the globe that house ancient iconography found on ‘akau tau (weaponry), his refined, graphic paintings have sought to find new spaces and ways for audiences to engage with Tonga’s visual culture.
Work has exhibited in both solo and group shows in Aotearoa and abroad. In New Zealand, his work has been shown in a vast number of galleries including Canterbury Museum, The Dowse Art Museum, Te Tuhi, FRESH Gallery Otara, Corbans Art Estate and Māngere Arts Centre. Overseas, Benjamin has presented work at Bergman Gallery, Cook Islands, Me’a’ofa Gallery, Tonga, AMbush Gallery, Sydney and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. Work has also featured in several festivals including ART Basel Miami and the Salisbury International Arts Fest, England.
Artist Artworks
Benjamin Work
Titirangi kapa studies II
2024
patina on copper
285 x 150 x 75mm
SOLD
Image: Sam Hartnett
Contact us to purchase this edition.
Titirangi fuelled my interest in stories of encounters between Tangata Moana and Tangata Whenua with Europeans. Particularly how our people adopted and adapted uncustomary materials like kapa (copper) as vessels to carry ancient ideas into a "new world."
Benjamin Work
Titirangi kapa studies I
2024
patina on copper
335 x 140 x 25mm
$500
Image: Sam Hartnett
Contact us to purchase this edition.
Titirangi fuelled my interest in stories of encounters between Tangata Moana and Tangata Whenua with Europeans. Particularly how our people adopted and adapted uncustomary materials like kapa (copper) as vessels to carry ancient ideas into a "new world."
Benjamin Work
Titirangi kapa studies III
2024
patina on copper
255 x 125 x 40mm
$500
Image: Sam Hartnett
Contact us to purchase this edition.
Titirangi fuelled my interest in stories of encounters between Tangata Moana and Tangata Whenua with Europeans. Particularly how our people adopted and adapted uncustomary materials like kapa (copper) as vessels to carry ancient ideas into a "new world."