Robert Jahnke

Robert Jahnke

Professor of Māori Visual Arts, Toioho ki Āpiti, Whiti o Rehua School of Art

Professor Robert Jahnke (Ngai Taharora, Te Whanau a Iritekura, Te Whanau a Rakairo o Ngati Porou) is an artist, writer and curator working principally as a sculptor, although trained as a designer and animator. His work focuses on the dynamics of inter-cultural exchange and the politics of identity. Jahnke primarily teaches into the MMVA and PhD (FA) programmes out of Palmerston North.

  • Expertise

    Traditional and contemporary Maori visual culture, Kaupapa Maori, Te Tataitanga kaupapa Toi, installation, sculpture, painting, public art, art history.

  • Research Highlights

    1988-2001 Hinematekaikai/Taharora, Mihikoinga marae. Waipiro Bay. This marae project resulted in carving, painting and lattice-work for Hinematakaikai dining room and Taharora meeting house that extended the innovative practices of Cliff Whiting and Para Matchitt with industrial board to include the incorporation of bone, clay and bronze for the first time within a mare context.
     
    2007 Waharoa, Mana Tamariki. Palmerston North. Tomokanga, Mana Tamariki. Palmerston North in collaboration with Hugh Tennett Architects, Wellington and Ngatai Taepa. Kia kaha te korero Maori in collaboration with Andre Te Hira, Mana Tamariki. Palmerston North. The Mana Tamariki project included contributions as a Maori building consultant, designer and artist resulting in a gateway, entranceway and window typography.
     
    2011-2013 Aotearoa - IFLA Exhibition Park, Jinzhou, China. Maori cultural and design consultant for landscape Architect Dave Charnley of Prorata Landscape Architect. The design was selected because of an [a]mazing international achievement with a strongly articulated and cleverly designed landscape.

  • Qualifications

    BFA (Auckland University)
    MFA (Auckland University)
    MFA (California Institute of the Arts)
    DipTchg (Auckland Teachers College)
    PhD (Massey University)

  • Professional Affiliations

    Matakura Maori Art Education Trust
    Toi Iho Kaitiaki Trust

  • Supervision

    Elizabeth Allen
    Carnal Colonialism - The sexual commodification of Maori women's bodies in colonial discourse.

    In-progress

    Primary supervisor: Prof. Robert Jahnke
    Co-supervisor: Dr. Huhana Smith
    Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Huia Jahnke

     

    Stephan Gibbs
    Te Hoe Nukuroa the paddles that are still travelling.

    In-progress

    Primary supervisor: Prof. Robert Jahnke
    Co-supervisor: Margaret Forster

     

    Elizabeth Grant
    Bronze as a non-customary intervention in the interpretation of insects from the natural world of Māori.

    2014

    Primary supervisor: Prof. Robert Jahnke

     

    Karen McIntyre
    WAI: The Women's Art Initiative - Art Making in Response to Violence

    In progress

    Primary supervisor: Prof. Robert Jahnke
    Co-supervisor: Margaret Forster

     

    Terri Te Tau
    Beyond the corners of our whare: a conceptual Maori response to state surveillance in Aotearoa New Zealand

    2016

    Primary supervisor: Prof. Robert Jahnke

     

    Areta Wilkinson
    Jewellery as pepeha : contemporary jewellery practice informed by Māori

    2014

    Primary supervisor: Prof. Robert Jahnke
    Co-supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Huia Jahnke