Michael Parekowhai: The empire of light

• Published in: Art monthly Australia no. 299; p. 68
• Main Author: Leonard, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Acton Art Monthly Australia 01.06.2017
• Subjects: 21st century; Cook, James (1728-1779); Light; Parekowhai, Michael; Politics; Public art; Sculpture; Social criticism & satire; New Zealand; Auckland New Zealand
• ISSN: 1033-4025

It's hard to make good public art. There are too many constraints and obstacles, especially for artists adapted to operating within the philosophical and aesthetic safe haven of the white cube. They have to render their nimble ideas in forms and with materials that can cope with the weather, the authorities, and the vandals. Their work has to operate rain or shine, 24/7. It has to hold its own within the scale and hubbub of its environment and engage both an uninitiated know-nothing public (who come to it cold) and a know-everything art world (who've already absorbed the backstory and are alert to the strategy). Plus, there are those random irritations and petty humiliations: stakeholder expectations, bylaws, consents, health and safety, contractors, third-party liability, plus the media pundits and other fools sent to judge your work. With his new public sculpture for the Auckland waterfront - The Lighthouse (2017) - Michael Parekowhai has risen to the challenges and conquered the problems. It's a bit of a coup, really.