James Ormsby

James Ormsby’s ‘Whakapapa’ at Pātaka is the most extensive presentation of James Ormsby’s work in a public institution to date. Photo by Mark Tantrum, 2016

This details from the drawing Poneke is a kind of whakapapa – a history or indigenous cartography. It contains esoteric layers that requires one to meditate. It references what’s inherent and cyclic, what’s within & without - above and below the surface, & the whakapapa, experience & content of epistemic knowledge.

“Drawing is the medium which has been the blood of my life. I felt very strongly that I had ancestors. I wanted to pit myself against the past and I also wanted to go forward. I wanted to use objects… but I also yearned to have my feet in historical drawing.” – Jim Dine, 2003

James Ormsby, Genesis (Proto-Psalteroa V), 2010, Ink and mixed media on paper, 140 (H) x 500cm (L) at Pataka Museum & Art Gallery. Photo by Mark Tantrum.

These drawings, bear an imprint of the artist in a way no digital object ever can. They contain history - his and others. They map – or retain a sense of self and a measure our time and things we often miss as we rush frantically into the future.

James Ormsby is of Maori (Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato, Te Arawa), Katimana (Scottish) and South Asian (Indian) heritage and draws on these cultural customs to inform the narratives of his art and practice. Throughout the process of developing and presenting his own unique personal view and vision, with his art-led research, James continues to investigate what his ancestors would have used to make their marks, the materials they had access to and the symbols they employed to communicate their message. From this knowledge base, James draws on sources that his forebears would be able to recognise and associate with.

James Ormsby’s ‘Whakapapa’ brings together the finest drawings James has produced in the last two decades. Photography by Pātaka and Mark Tantrum, 2016

From this, he has developed a distinctive personal vocabulary of visual symbols, techniques and materials. He uses natural pigments, wax, inks and oils, as well as graphite, and in combination with these, as well as employing new technology to develop a distinctive visual language.

Drawing is a passion for James Ormsby. He describes it as his first language in an era when artists are increasingly experimenting with new technology. He carries out a huge amount of historical research and questions the significance of the visual symbols his ancestors chose to depict.

James Ormsby with an enthusiastic audience at the Auckland Art Fair 2019.
View the installation, images and details online, click here.

James Ormsby, Chief (en rouge), LD #27», 2019, Graphite, pigment, wax and studio dust on paper, 258 (H) × 150cm (W) paper / 265 × 160cm framed

 

Biorgraphy

Portrait of the artist James Ormsby. Photo © Catherine Cattanach Photography

James Ormsby is a well recognised national artist who has over 20 years of Visual Art practice in New Zealand & overseas including 20 solo shows and over 80 group exhibitions. He has received major Grants from Creative NZ and the British Council for practice-based research at University of Oxford (UK), and resulting exhibitions in London, Melbourne and Auckland.

James Ormsby with his Large Drawing LD#22 (Tawhaio Cartoon), 2008, Graphite on paper, 240 (H) x 200cm (W), Private Collection, Wellington NZ

He has a Bachelor of Education (Visual Art) from The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, (1990), and a Master of Fine Art from The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Victoria, Australia (2002).

His work can be found in numerous collections including Te Papa Tongawera, The Arts Trust Collection, Auckland City Art Collection, The Waikato Museum of Art and History, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, The University of Melbourne, (Victoria, Australia), and private collections throughout New Zealand and overseas including The Benetton Collection (Geneva, Switzerland).

James Ormsby, He Data… Tui, (B24.6) 2024, Oil on linen, 75 (H) x 55cm (W)

James Ormsby, He Data… Huia (B24.7), 2024, Oil on linen, 75 (H) x 55cm (W)

Upon returning to New Zealand he was commissioned to paint AUT's whare (meeting house) and the ceiling design and artwork for the RNZ Navy whare.

Maungatautari (Blue 'n Green), 2024, Limited edition Giclee print 10+2AP, courtesy of the artist James Ormsby and PAULNACHE in support of Maungatautari, a protected natural area in the Waikato Region. This print was made available at the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Fundraiser 2024.

Curator and art historian Ngahiraka Mason writes:

James' visual language shows his personal evolution as an artist prepared to seek out his full potential.

His restrained yet voluble pencil and brush marks are complex studies.

He has a capacity to make his art reappear as if it struts and strides into traditional and mathematical systems that interconnect with culture.

He has a joyous approach to colour and uses natural pigments and oils, graphite and ink materials.

James' has been a finalist in the National Art Awards Waikato as well as the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Awards. His 3 metre tall graphite work on paper entitled ‘Whenua’ is part of Te Papa Tongarewa's permanent collection. He also has work in private collections throughout Australasia Pacific.

James Ormsby, I.C. II (Indigenous Cartography), 2011, Ink and gold leaf on digital print, 57 (H) x 46cm (W), Private Collection Aotearoa NZ

James Ormsby, I.C. III (Indigenous Cartography), 2011, Ink and gold leaf on digital print, 57 (H) x 46cm (W), Private Collection Aotearoa NZ

 

Drawings

 

Paintings

 

Selected Exhibitions

 

Selected Publications

  • Whakapapa: PATAKA Art + Museum, 2016/2017

  • ‘Toi Tu Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art’. Written by Nigel Borell. Pub. Penguin NZ, Penguin Books, 2022. ISBN-13- 9780143776734. 

  • ‘Behind the Canvas – An insider guide to the New Zealand art market’ by Warwick Henderson. Page 60. Pub. New Holland Publishers, Auckland, NZ, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-86966-367-4

  • ‘New Zealand’s Favourite Artists’ Ed. by Denis Robinson. Saint Pub., Auckland, New Zealand, 2006, ISBN 1-87729065-3.

  • ‘Contemporary New Zealand Art – 2007 Dairy’, Craig Potton Pub., Nelson, NZ, 2006.

  • ‘James Ormsby & Symbol’ – Catalogue for solo Maorigami Exhibition (July 7 28, 2007). Te Waka Toi, Creative New Zealand, ISBN 978-0-473-12454-0.

  •  Art New Zealand – #124/Spring, 2007. Pages 54-57. ‘Tu Tu Ana Te Puehu: To Seek, To Know, To Resolve’ By Ngahiraka Mason.  

  •  ‘Contemporary New Zealand Artists’, Vol. 5, (Ed. Elizabeth Caughey, 2008).

  •  Art New Zealand – #134/Winter, 2010. Page 21. ‘Seek’ Exhibition Review by Damian Skinner.

  • ‘Exploring Drawing: A look at contemporary Drawing’ (Vol.3, Iss.3. a teaching resource for schools). By Ursula Cranmer. CD + Book published in 2010, by Integrated Education Ltd, NZ. ISBN 978-0-9582897-7-1 

  •  Asian Art News – Vol.21, #3 (May/June, 2011) Pages 88-91. ‘Retaining Identity’ by Dr. Robin Woodward.

  •  Exhibition Catalogues for the following shows: Seek Project (Paul Nache), Current (Whitespace in London), Paul Nache in Wellington (Paul Nache), Aotearoa Liberators (Wintec), Koru + Kowhaiwhai (Pataka), 2002 NZ Candidates Show (RMIT), To Scale (NorthTec), Auckland Art Fairs – 2007/09/11, and Letters to the Ancestors (Waikato Museum of Art + History)."

 

Collections

James’ work can be found in numerous collections including Te Papa Tongawera, The Arts Trust Collection, Auckland City Art Collection, The Waikato Museum of Art and History, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, The University of Melbourne, (Victoria, Australia), and private collections throughout New Zealand and overseas including The Benetton Collection (Geneva, Switzerland).

PAULNACHE has represented James Ormsby since 2004.

 

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