A.D. Schierning: Tane Mahuta

The vision of artist A.D. Schierning is to bring Tane Mahuta, the god of the forest, into the heart of Auckland’s Central Business District. Schierning commissioned photographer Sam Hartnett to travel into the depths of the Waipoua Forest in Northland and capture a series of hyper-realistic images of New Zealand’s most iconic tree.

Removed from its normal context the impressive stature of the largest known and presumably oldest kauri tree provides a contrast to the skyline of the city centre. The series of subtle shifts from one picture to the next invites viewers to imagine walking through the forest, past Tane Mahuta - whilst having their feet firmly upon concrete.

About the artist:

A.D. Schierning was born in Matamata in 1976. She has a BFA (1999) and Post Graduate Diploma (2009) both from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland.

In 2001 she was awarded a residency at the Goethe Institute Berlin. A.D. has exhibited prolifically over the past ten years both nationally and internationally.

Recent shows include; 2010 Freedom Fruit Gardens at Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts; 2009 Honesty at Window University of Auckland; and 2008 Starving Artists Fair at Artspace. Her work was included in the 2004 Sao Paulo Biennial, Brazil.

A.D. lives and works in Auckland.

Public art launch

The Public Art team warmly invite you to attend the opening of A.D. Schierning's new exhibition at the Bledisloe lightboxes - 'Tane Mahuta', 5pm, Friday 18 November at the Bledisloe Walkway

Event listed by PublicArtAuckland

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