Robert Jahnke
The immersive experience in front of Prof. Robert Jahnke’s Kōwhiti Rua Whero as pictured by Thomas P Teutenberg, courtesy of the artist © and PAULNACHE.
Primarily an educator, Robert Jahnke’s practice over the years has straddled design, illustration, animation and sculpture. His work possesses a creative vitality, often with a political edge, and focuses on differing perceptions of reality according to historical facts and circumstance.
Jahnke’s practice questions and challenges the established Eurocentric narration of New Zealand’s history, promoting and championing the Māori experience within his considered contemporary metaphor.
Image Gallery
Selected works
Robert Jahnke, Te Wepu MMXXIII @PAULNACHE 02.02.2024
Robert Jahnke’s ‘ATA’ Series of large scale neon light-box sculptural works which toured throughout Australasia. Photo by Mark Tantrum
Biography
Prof. Robert Jahnke’s magnificent entranceway ‘Te Tomokanga o te ua’ welcoming people into Aotearoa Art Fair, The Cloud, Auckland Viaduct in March 2023.
Prof. Robert Hans George Jahnke (ONZM) was born at Waipiro Bay (East Coast of the North Island) in 1951 of Ngai Taharora, Te Whanau a Iritekura, Te Whanau a Rakiroa o Ngati Porou decent.
Appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2017 New Year Honours list by Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of services to Māori art and education, Jahnke is responsible for setting up the first Maori Visual Arts degree in a university: a Bachelor of Maori Visual Arts in 1995, a Postgraduate Diploma of Maori Visual Arts and a Master of Maori Visual Arts in 1999.
He contributes to Maori Development through his teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, his research into traditional Maori carving and his academic writing straddling art education, contemporary and traditional Maori art, and identity politics.
Detailed photograph of Robert Jahnke’s fluorescent light-box sculpture entitled ‘Tanetokorangi’, featured in his ‘Lamentation’ Series and touring exhibition.
Education
MFA (Hons) Auckland, NZ
MFA Califonia, USA
DipTchg, PhD
Tribal Affiliation
Ngai Taharora
Te Whanau a Iritekura
Te Whanau a Rakairoa o Ngati Porou
Prof. Robert Jahnke’s ‘IAMIWI, IAMKIWI (This Land Was Made For You and Me)’ black and white stainless steel landscape featured in ‘Whakawhiti Aria’ with Shane Cotton and Israel Birch at Te Manawa, Palmerston North, New Zealand, courtesy of PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Commissions and Collections
Significant commissions include the Spinning Top at Woodward Street in Wellington (pictured), The Ranginui Door at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the entrance to Harrod’s Sky Casino in Auckland, Twin Hulls at the University of Auckland Tamaki Campus, Waharoa and entrance for Mana Tamariki with Tennet and Brown Architects and concrete relief panels for St. Brigid’s church in Feilding. Recently his practice has shifted to neon light installations.
He is represented in a number of major collections including The Chartwell Trust, The Art Gallery Of New South Wales, Sydney, Auckland City Art Gallery, Te Papa Tongarewa, Chris & Kathy Parkin, Sue Cato, Jenny Gibbs and Kevin Roberts among significant representation in within Private Collections both in New Zealand and abroad.
Video
Robert Jahnke – 2023 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate
Bob Jahnke – Te Waka Toi Awards 2020. Watch this video on Robert Jahnke’s artistic approach.
Interview with Robert Jahnke during the ‘Te Hokinga mai’ exhibition, courtesy of PAULNACHE
Professional
2015
Professor of Maori Visual Culture; Doctoral Studies & Research Leader for Toiohoki Āpiti, School of Art, Massey University
2014
Professor of Māori Visual Culture, School of Maori Art, Knowledge & Education, Massey University
2002-2013
Chair and Head of Māori Studies, Māori Studies, Massey University, Palmerston North
1998-2002
Senior Lecturer, Māori Studies, Massey University, Palmerston North
1991
Lecturer, Māori Studies, Massey University, Palmerston North
1988-1990
Art Tutor, Waiariki Polytechnic, Rotorua
1987
Researcher, Education Department, Wellington
1981-1986
Art Teacher, Mangere College, Auckland
1978
Art Teacher, Hastings Boys High School
Awards
2018
SREF Grant, Massey University
Massey University Research Grant
2017
ONZM Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Massey University Research Grant
College of Creative Arts RATA Award for Excellence in Research
2014
Creative New Zealand Arts Grant
Creative New Zealand Quick Response Grant
2012
Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Arts Grant
2011
Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Arts Grant
Nga Kupu Ora Maori Book Award for Tirohanga o Mua Looking Back
2010
Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Arts Grant
2006
Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi Arts Grant
2005
Te Mata o te Tau Doctoral Scholarship
2002
Te Waka Toi ‘Te Ara Whakarei’ Honorary Te Toi Iho – Māori made mark user endorsement
‘Nga Mahi Hou a Te Waka Toi’ Award
2000
Te Waka Toi New Work Grant/Massey University Staff Award
1998-1999
Fulbright Visiting Artist/Scholar, Department of Art, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Oahu
Te Atinga Grant, Te Waka Toi
1996
Visiting Fellow, ANU, Canberra School of Art, Australia
1994
Te Atinga Grant, Te Waka Toi
1992-1993
Massey University Research Fund Grant
1991
Te Atinga Grant, Te Waka Toi
1989
Te Atinga Grant, Te Waka Toi
1985
NZ Government Printers Award for illustration in the 'Fish of Our Fathers', a children's book
1980
John Faith Hubley Film Animation Award for 'Te Utu; The Battle of the Gods
1978-1980
University Grants Committee Post Graduate Fellowship
William Georgetti Post Graduate Fellowship
Queen Elizabeth II Postgraduate Scholarship
Ngarimu V.C. Postgraduate Scholarship (declined)
William Trust (East Coast Grant)
Delator Trust Grant (East Coast Grant)
1978
NZ Library Association. Russell Clarke Award for illustration in 'House of the People', a children's book
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023
Te Tomokanga o te ua (entranceway), Aotearoa Art Fair, The Cloud, Auckland Viaduct, NZ
2016-18
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Ata: a third reflection’, Carriageworks, Sydney Contemporary, Australia; Pataka Art & Museum, Porirua; Te Manawa, Palmerston North; Whangarei Art Museum, Whangarei; Waikato Art Museum, Hamilton; Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga; Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, Hillsborough, Auckland.
2015
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Te Hokinga mai’, PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ
2012
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Infamous’, Bath Street Gallery, Parnell, NZ
2011-2012
Jahnke, R. H. ‘This is my land’, Museum Hotel, Wellington, NZ
2011
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Cogito ergo sum’, PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ
2010
Jahnke, R. H. ‘Tirohanga o mua: looking back’, Te Manawa, Palmerston North, NZ
Jahnke, R. H. ‘MAORIMADE’, PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023
Jahnke et al. The Meeting Place, PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa, Gisborne, NZ
2018
Jahnke et al. Nowhere to somewhere (3-30 January 2018) Paul Nache Gallery, Gisborne
2017
Jahnke et al. SCAPE Public Art Season (2 October 2017-28 February 2018), Kaokao 181 High Street, Christchurch
Jahnke et al. LUX Light Festival, Kaokao Te Ao Marama Precinct, Wellington
Jahnke et al. headlands Sculpture on the gulf, Kaokao Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf
Jahnke et al. Maori Market: Bob & Friends, Te Ao Marama video, Xstatic, Wharewaka, Wellington
Jahnke et al. Maoriland Film Festival (15-19 March), Tuku Iho - Nga Purapura, Otaki
2016
Jahnke et al. Nga aho taruarua, Some of my best friends are coloured IV, Tuku Iho, Corban’s Estate Art Centre, Henderson
Jahnke et al. He Waka Eke Noa, Milford Galleries, Dunedin
Jahnke et al. Staging Post, Milford Galleries, Queenstown
2015-16
Jahnke et al. Korerareka Visual Kai exhibition. Haratu, Russell. Curated by Clive Arlidge & Michel Tuffery
2015
Jahnke & Campbell, Tawhirowhiro. headlands Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke Island
Jahnke, Larkin, Kereama, Whiting. Tuku Iho: To bequeath. Bath Street Gallery, Parnell. Curated by Bob Jahnke
Jahnke et al. Sydney Contemporary. Sydney. Curated by Bath Street Gallery.
Jahnke, Aukola, Hautapu, Taiapa. Matatau 2015. Te Manawa. Palmerston North
2014
Jahnke, Puke, Reihana, Taepa. Bob & Friends. Maori Market TSB Arena. Wellington
Jahnke et al. Kokiri Putahi Exhibition. Northland College, Kaikohe
Jahnke, Birch, Cotton
2013
Jahnke et al. Te Atinga 25 years on. Mangere Community Centre. Curated by Nigel Borell.
Jahnke, Birch, Cotton, Graham, Grant, Hollis. Kaihono Ahua Revisioning Contemporary New Zealand Art The 7th Suter Biennale. Curated by Anna Marie White, Suter Gallery. Nelson
2012-2014
Jahnke, Aumua, Birch, Hohaia, Pearce, Te Tau, Te Whaiti. Matatau. Bath Street Gallery, Parnell
2012-24
Jahnke, Birch, Cotton. Whakawhiti Aria: Transmission. Curated by Shelly Jahnke. Te Manawa, Palmerston North. Toured to Pataka Art + Museum, Porirua; Tuaranga Art Gallery
2011
Jahnke, Cotton, Graham, Parekowhai, Reihana. Bob and friends. Māori Market. Curated by Bob Jahnke. Te Rauparaha Stadium. Porirua
Jahnke et al. Toioho ki Mangere. Toi o Uenuku. Auckland. Curated by Bob Jahnke. Mangere Arts Centre, Manukau City
Jahnke et al. Auckland art fair. Viaduct, Auckland. Curated by Bath Street Gallery
Representation
Robert Jahnke is represented in Te Ika-a-Maui Aotearoa (New Zealand’s north island) by PAULNACHE, Turanganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne.
Working on a network model that draws on connections to identify and seize opportunities, PAULNACHE has established a reputation for dynamic and creative solutions in the presentation of its artists across the world.
Growing a global market from “the first place to see the day”, PAULNACHE is based in idyllic Gisborne, consistently positioning its family of artists to national and international audiences through Art Fairs and invited events.
At the heart of PAULNACHE is the desire to teach people an emotional connection with art, and to foster the sense of value that art has in terms of society, community, culture and life.