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Synopsis

A 1974 documentary exploring the work of Ralph Hotere, now arguably New Zealand's greatest living artist. Directed by Sam Pillsbury, the film is framed around the execution of a large mural Hotere was commissioned to paint for the Founders Theatre in Hamilton. Interviews with friends and associates: poets Hone Tuwhare and Bill Manhire, art critics, officials and dealers (Gordon Brown, Barry Lett, Rodney Kirk Smith, John Scott) are intercut with fascinating shots of Hotere working, including making art by photocopying (then called 'xerography').

Background

A perspective by Ian Wedde 30.06.2009

Sam Pillsbury's 1974 documentary about Ralph Hotere's Hamilton Founders Theatre mural opens with a shot of the artist intently surveying the foyer and then sauntering towards an apprehensive group of men, one of ...

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Reflections from the director, 35 years on by Sam Pillsbury 03.07.2009

When I made the doco I was trying to dramatise Ralph's slyness, and his integrity, as well as his core sensuality ... [it's captured in] the whole mussels thing Hone [Tuwhare] talks about. And ...

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Credits (4)

 Sam Pillsbury
 David Fowler
 Lynton Diggle

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Related Titles (9)

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Hotere is featured in this series looking at landscape art in New Zealand

 Review, Hone Tuwhare

Television, 1975 (Full Length)

A 1975 interview with poet Hone Tuwhare

 Hotere

Film, 2001 (Full Length)

2001 Merata Mita-directed doco on Hotere

 Hone Tuwhare

Television, 1996 (Full Length)

1996 Gaylene Preston-directed doco on Hone Tuwhare

 Games 74

Film, 1974 (Full Length)

Sam Pillsbury was one of the directors for the 1974 NFU Commonwealth Games doco

 Howard Morrison Special - Hamilton

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A 1982 Howard Morrison performance at Founders Theatre

 Land of My Ancestors - Darcy Nicholas Artist

Television, 2007 (Excerpts)

Another portrait of a Māori artist

 Heartland, Port Chalmers

Television, 1993 (Excerpts)

Ralph Hotere features in this Heartland programme

 Dustie

Short Film, 1971 (Full Length)

Also produced by David Fowler

Collections.   See all collections ›  

Included in:

 The Matariki Collection
 National Film Unit Collection

Tags

critics, painting, xerox, mural, hamilton, xerography, poet, hone tuwhare, bill manhire, port chalmers, art, art dealers