Kay George | |
|---|---|
 Kay George, 2024 | |
| Born | 1954 (age 69–70) Rotorua, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand, Cook Islands |
| Alma mater | Auckland University of Technology |
| Known for | painting, printing, photography |
| Style | colourful collage of Cook Islands imagery |
| Spouse | Ian George |
| Children | Mīria George |
Kay George (born 1954, Rotorua, New Zealand) is a senior New Zealand and Cook Islands artist based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. George is a major player in the development of the visual arts in the Cook Islands.[1]
George and her husband Ian George, also a notable artist himself, migrated to Rarotonga, Cook Islands from New Zealand so her husband can explore his family's heritage in the Cook Islands.[2] George and her husband ran an art gallery named The Art Studio for many years, (now Beluga Cafe), in Arorangi. The Art Studio was recognised as one of the leading galleries in the Pacific.[3]
In 1998, Ian George curated Paringa Ou, the first major exhibition of contemporary art by Cook Island artists residing in New Zealand featuring artists such as Ani O'Neill, Sylvia Marsters, Mahiriki Tangaroa, Michel Tuffery, Jim Vivieaere, Ian George, and Kay George, the exhibition travelled to the Fiji Museum, the Cook Islands National Museum, as well as the Gus Fisher Gallery in Auckland. The exhibition was partly sponsored by the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga.[4]
In 2008, She graduated Masters of Art and Design from Auckland University of Technology with Cook Islands scholarship.[5]
In 2018, celebrating 30 years since George's arrival to the Cook Islands, Bergman Gallery hosted her retrospective exhibition and 200 people attended the opening.[6]
Her work are exhibited internationally in Cook Islands, Australia, New Zealand, France, United States of America, New Caledonia and Fiji. Her stepdaughter Mīria George, is a New Zealand writer, producer and director.[7][8]
Selected solo and collaborative exhibitions[edit]
- 2024: Beyond the Veil of Paradise, Bergman Gallery, Auckland[8]
- 2018: Years of Colour, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands[6]
- 1997: Ian and Kay George, Morgan Street Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand[9]
- 1997: 2 Women Show (with Andrea Eimkee), Darwin, Australia[10]
Selected group exhibitions[edit]
- 2020: Tatou 2, The Story of Us, Bergman Gallery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands[11]
- 2013: Oe Vaka, The Art Studio, Rarotonga, Cook Islands[12]
- 2010: MANUIA, BCA Gallery (now Bergman Gallery), Indian Nation Community House, New York City, United States of America[13]
- 1998: Paringa Ou, Fisher Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand[14]
- 1998: Paringa Ou, Fiji Museum, Fiji[14]
- 1998: Paringa Ou, Cook Islands National Museum, Rarotonga, Cook Islands[14]
References[edit]
- ^ "Exhibition shows artist's new direction". Cook Islands News. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ "A lifetime of colour". Cook Islands News. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ "Creative New Zealand mourns the passing of Cook Islands artist Ian David George". creativenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ Stevenson, Karen (1998). Paringa Ou (PDF). Te Tuhi.
- ^ "Kay George | 21 July – 25 August 2018 – Overview". Bergman Gallery. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ a b "Celebrating 30 years of colour". Cook Islands News. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ "Pacific artists honoured at Arts Awards". NZ Herald. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Beyond the Veil of Paradise". Artnow. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ "New work by Pacific artists : Ian and Kay George : Morgan St Gallery". Art News (Summer): 14. 1997.
- ^ "Pacific perspective : an exhibition of textile and mixed media by Kay George and Andrea Eimke from the Cook Islands". Art News. 17 (1): 12. 1997.
- ^ "TATOU 2 – The Story of Us". Artnow. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ^ "Feature Gallery: The Art Studio, Rarotonga". Art All (Autumn, 110): 18. 2013.
- ^ "Sketches : Artist reflects on her life in Rarotonga". Art News. 38 (Winter 2): 47. 2018.
- ^ a b c "IAN GEORGE". TAUTAI – GUIDING PACIFIC ARTS. Retrieved 2 October 2023.