Benjamin to bring Tongan war clubs to the MET in New York City Featured
South Auckland based visual artist Benjamin Work will be presenting his arts practice and findings at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, September 9th, supported by Creative New Zealand.
1 September, 2016. A south Auckland artist is set to have his culturally inspired work exhibited in one of the most prestigious galleries in the world, The MET on September 9.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is among the most visited galleries in the world and Benjamin Work admits this is a once in a lifetime experience.
"I feel very honoured for this opportunity and I must acknowledge Creative NZ for their support," he says.
"I have had so many people invest in to me and my arts practice, to which I am so grateful. It does take a village."
Benjamin's paintings are inspired by Tongan war clubs paintings as well as research into historic accounts, particularly the prophecies surrounding Captain James Cook's expeditions to the Pacific.
But he says his work is also about learning from the past.
"My arts practice explores Oceanic history namely Tongan history and beliefs. I'm interested in how we can look back and learn more about ourselves, then taking that knowledge and using it as a guide to navigate our future."
It has been an interesting and unconventional journey for Benjamin's work to be featured.
"Last year I visited British and European museums that held Tongan artefacts for research purposes. On this trip I met Dr Maia Nuku, an associate curator at The MET," he says.
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"Dr Nuku is one of the researchers who helped rediscover a sacred Tongan headdress in a Spanish museum and she then invited me to present my work at The MET as I often reference the sacred headdress [in my own work]. "
Benjamin who is of Tongan descent lives in Manukau and wants to encourage other artists not to give up on their dreams.
"Artists need to be persistent and tenacious no matter what type of upbringing or location you have lived in. Don't give up."
What The MET?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, colloquially "the Met" is located in New York City and is the largest art museum in the United States, and among the most visited art museums in the world.
Its permanent collection contains over two million works, divided among seventeen curatorial departments.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in 1870 and was originally located at 681 Fifth Avenue.
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