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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.

 

 

Donor #3, The Banquet
2007
oil on canvas board
1000 x 800mm

Donor #3 The Banquet (detail)




Ihaka-Whanga
2007
Oil on board
700 x 600mm

King Wherowhero
2007
Oil on board
800 x 700mm

Pacific Dream
2006
Oil on board
900 x 650mm

Tamati Waka Nene
2007
Oil on board
1200 x 800mm

Lady of the Flowers
2008
Oil on linen
1000 x 882 mm (framed)

Moonlighting
2008
Oil on linen
530 x 790 mm (framed)

2 Spades
2003
oil on board
830 x 550 mm

2 Spades (detail)




Reverence
2003
oil on board
830 x 550 mm

Reverence (detail)




Averil
2008
Oil on linen
1000 x 882 mm (framed)

Boating for Beginners
2008
oil on linen
365 x 515 mm (framed)

Paradise in Pink I
2008
Oil on linen
460 x 600 mm (framed)

Paradise in Pink I (detail)




Paradise in Pink II
2008
Oil on linen
420 x 600 mm (framed)

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

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

Port Girl
2009
Oil on canvas
1035 x 840mm

Port Girl - detail

detail of previous painting


Milk Maid
2009
Oil on linen
1035 x 840mm

Milk Maid - detail

this is a detail of the previous painting


Sweetie
2009
Oil on linen
1030 x 840mm

Sweetie -detail

this is a detail of the previous painting


Mary Seven Sorrows
2008
Oil on linen
1100 x 1000mm

Seven Sorrows detail

This is a detail of the previous painting


Life Still 10
2008
Oil on canvas
440 x 590mm

Life Still No. 11
2008
Oil on canvas
1000 x 800mm

Life Still No. 11 - detail

This is a detail of the previous painting


Heather Straka at the Nadene Milne Gallery




Paradise in Pink III
2008
Oil on linen
410 x 530 mm ( framed)



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