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Heather Straka

b. 1972

In a short period of time, Heather Straka has gained a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished artists. This rapid ascent is related to two important aspects of her work; the technical finesse of her practice as a painter and the daring bravado of her subject matter.

In her most recent series of work, Heather has completely transgressed the polite rules of political correctness laid down after the cultural warfare of the 1990s. Through her appropriation of Maori portraits by Victorian artists, combined with the sacred symbols of Catholicism, Heather has created the most damning and inciteful works of recent New Zealand art history.

While the dust is yet to settle, Heather has moved ever onwards, buoyed by the ongoing success and recognition she has received. After completing her Master of Fine Arts at the School of Fine Art, Canterbury University in 2000 she was awarded the Ethel Susan Jones Travelling Scholarship. In 2002 she was presented the Pierce Lowe award for excellence in painting from the Royal Overseas League, London, and most recently, she was announced as the Frances Hodgkins Fellow for 2008.

 

 

King Wherowhero
2007
oil on board
800 x 700mm

King Wherowhero (detail)




King Wherowhero (installation)




Virgin of the Seven Sorrows
2009
digital print on archival paper, edition of 50
700 x 560mm

Virgin of the Seven Sorrows (detail)




Love
2009
digital print on archival paper, edition of 50
700 x 470mm

Love (detail)




Love & Virgin of the Seven Sorrows (installation)




Still Life 24
2010
oil on board


Still Life 24 (detail)




Still Life 24 (installation)




Paradise in Pink III
2008
oil on linen
410 x 530mm

Paradise in Pink III (detail)




Paradise in Pink III (installation)




2 Spades
2003
oil on board
830 x 550 mm

2 Spades (detail)




Reverence
2003
oil on board
830 x 550 mm

Reverence (detail)




Shark Fin Soup
2008
oil on canvas
400 x 560mm

Shark Fin Soup (detail)




Life Still #24
2010
oil on canvas
480 x 655 mm

Life Still #24 (installation)




Heather Straka 2010 Exhibition




Friend
2009
digital print on archival paper, edition of 50
595 x 480mm (framed)

Friend (detail)




Foe
2009
digital print on archival paper, edition of 50
595 x 480mm (framed)

Foe (detail)




Friend & Foe (installation)






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