Archival documents might not spring immediately to mind when hearing the term ‘post-object art’, yet they are an important source for exploring this slice of the late 20th century Auckland art scene.

To coincide with the Auckland Art Gallery exhibition Groundswell: Avant-garde Auckland 1971-1979, the Fine Arts Library is displaying material from the Post-Object Art collection.

Post-object art was part of the New Zealand contemporary art movement from the 1960s until the early 1980s. It paralleled the international emergence of conceptual art; rejecting art as a commodity by shifting away from a physical object and the production of works to be sold. Like conceptual art, post-object art attempted to bridge the gap between art and life by using art as a way to expand the understanding and critique of the human condition. Works of this movement are represented by varying formats of documentation in place of traditional art works.

The Post-Object Art collection spans the years 1969-1999, with the bulk of the material dating from 1971-1979. Initiated by Philip Dadson and Bruce Barber, many of the contributing artists also have close relationships with Elam School of Fine Arts and the wider Auckland art scene.

Visit the display in the Fine Arts Library until 20 March 2019. You can also browse and search the Post-Object Art collection through the recently-launched Manuscripts and Archives.

Fine Arts