Fred Graham is a world-renowned sculptor. His work is a unique fusion of Māori mythology and art practices with Western modernism. This interest, initially reflected in his paintings, seamlessly transitioned into his sculptural works, where he often abstracted and simplified customary forms.

Graham's artistic contributions have been widely recognized. In 2017, he received the Te Waka Toi Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Award, followed by the Arts Foundation Icon Award in 2018. The same year, he was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, acknowledging his significant services to Māori art.

Graham's influence extends beyond his sculptures, as he played a pivotal role in organizing one of the first exhibitions of contemporary Māori painting and sculptures in 1966, known as 'The Class of '66.' He was also part of a teaching initiative that brought art education to rural Māori communities in Northland. In addition to his role on the Haerewa (Māori Cultural Advisory Group) at the Auckland Art Gallery since 1996, Graham has been a mentor to many emerging artists.

In 2014, Maria de Jong published "Fred Graham – Creator of Forms, Te Tohunga Auhaha," offering a rich retrospective that delves into the stories behind Graham's life and art.

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📸 https://gg.govt.nz/image-galleries/7653/media?page=1

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