Fiona Pardington selected for Venice Biennale
Webb’s is delighted to share the news announced by Creative New Zealand that Fiona Pardington MNZM (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Clan Cameron of Erracht) will represent Aotearoa at the 2026 La Biennale di Venezia in New Zealand's national pavilion with delivery partner Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū.
When considering exceptional New Zealand artists of the current generation, Fiona Pardington stands out as a unique creative voice.
An undisputed grand diva of seemingly timeless, transcendent photographically created artwork inspired by fragile treasures of our cultural heritage, Fiona Pardington is in a class of her own, eloquently conveying the cultural complexities of existence in the 21st century.
Pardington’s practice is deeply grounded in her identity as a woman artist of Māori descent. Like so many contemporary New Zealanders, however, her genetic origins are a mixture of indigenous and exotic whakapapa, with links to three iwi as well as a Scottish clan.
This multicultural makeup enables her to clearly see both perspectives of the complications resulting from our nation’s colonizing history. Her frequent choice of taxidermized native birds in museums as the protagonists of her metaphorical tableaux provides her with a wealth of material to draw upon that every New Zealander can relate to.
Webb’s congratulates Fiona Pardington on her selection and eagerly await what we’re sure will be an incredible presentation at the Venice Biennale, representing our nation.
