John Bevan Ford - Te Aho Tangata:The Human Threads

John Bevan Ford (1930-2005) Ngati Raukawa ki Kapiti, Ngati Wehiwehi, was a pioneer of the contemporary Maori art movement, which had its beginnings in the 1960's. As a carver, a sculptor and a painter, he is acknowledged for his prolific and outstanding contribution to the arts in Aotearoa and abroad. He was a recipient of the CNZ Te Waka Toi Kingi Ihaka Award in 2005.

John began by appreciating that the land came first, with a life force beyond humans, that land was mana imbued with spirituality connecting us with the 'whole'. Throughout his life John made connections in his work, with the peoples of Te Moananui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific), travelling also further afield to China, Europe, and Canada. Always mindful of the strengths of his Maori heritage, he drew inspiration from the customary arts of raranga, taniko, whakairo, kowhaiwhai and korowai. John was known as an eloquent and colourful speaker who shared his knowledge of Maori culture with pride and challenge.

John was inspired by the belief that land gives life, that it carries a spiritual essence that connects people to their environment. He was always mindful of the strengths of his M?ori heritage, and drew inspiration from the customary arts of raranga (weaving), t?niko (ornamental weaving), whakairo (carving), kowhaiwhai (painted scrollwork) and korowai (woven cloaks).

His work is represented in the permanent collections of significant international institutions including:

British Museum, London

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Museum für Völkerkunde, Berlin

The Linden-Museum, Stuttgart

Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde (National Museum of Ethnology), Leiden

Scheepvaart (National Maritime Museum of the Netherlands) Amsterdam

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

John’s work is also represented in numerous public and private collections throughout New Zealand. The generous support of these lenders has made this retrospective exhibition possible and is testament to John’s character.

John’s skillful compositions pull at the threads of the heart to remind us of our connections to culture, histories and customary art practice. His korowai are suspended within the space of Ranginui, like symbols of status and mana protecting the land, Papatuanuku, and they often travel with his sea vessels, guiding them into harbours and bays. His taniko borders contain, and ground, vigorous energies turning his compositions into cloaks. John writes of the sea as the force that brought us together and the force that keeps us apart.

John Bevan Ford: He Aho Tangata - the human threads honours John and his work, and his major contribution to the contemporary arts of Aotearoa alongside his high international profile. The retrospective presents his art production from the 1970's through to his final works, created in 2005. 

Exhibition developed by Te Manawa Museums Trust, curated by Kura Te Waru Rewiri.

Exhibition kindly supported by Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi and Eastern and Central Community Trust.