Benjamin Work

Benjamin Work
Work in 2023
Born1979 (age 44–45)
Auckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Known forpainting, murals
Notable workMotutapu II (2021)
Stylemotifs from ancient Tongan artefacts

Benjamin Work (born 1979, Auckland, New Zealand) is an artist from New Zealand with Tongan and Scottish heritage.[1] He is well known for his murals across New Zealand, as well as his paintings inspired by his genealogy back to Tonga.[2][3]

Drawing on his Tongan heritage, Work began to explore new directions in his art over the last decade. Inspired by the iconography found on Tongan treasures such as ngatu (bark cloth), fala (Tongan mats), and 'akau tau (war clubs), his refined, graphic paintings aimed to find new spaces and ways for audiences to engage with Tonga's visual culture. Work's art found a home both inside institutions and on the streets.[2]

Work's early life was marked by a diverse cultural upbringing, a passion for art, and a deep exploration of his Tongan heritage. He has developed a deep interest in and conducted extensive research on aspects of Tongan history and culture.[4] This exploration has allowed him to incorporate elements of Tongan traditions and symbols into his artwork, creating a unique fusion of contemporary and cultural influences. Work is part of the urban art movement and has exhibited in Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, United States, Cook Islands, and Tonga.[4]

In 2015, Work co-curated a display at the Auckland Museum with portraits from Tonga representing the royal lines of Tu’i Tonga, Tu’i Ha’atakalaua and Tu’i Kanokupolu.[5]

In 2021, Work created a big 330-square-metre mural Motutapu II across the floor and up two walls of Canterbury Museum inspired by the distinctive carved patterns on Tongan ‘akau tau (war clubs) in the museum’s collection.[6]

In 2023, Work curated Tukufakaholo, Tongan Contemporary, at Bergman Gallery, featuring 8 Tongan artists from Auckland.[7]

Work's work are held public and private collections throughout New Zealand, such as in Auckland Museum,[8] Canterbury Museum,[9] and The Arts House Trust.[10]

In 2024, Work was awarded the inaugural Fatu Feu’u Pacific Arts Prize from University of Auckland[11]

  1. ^ "BENJAMIN WORK". TAUTAI – GUIDING PACIFIC ARTS. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  2. ^ a b Woods, Dr Reuben (2021-06-09). "Benjamin Work Talks About His Giant Mural, Motutapu II". Canterbury Museum. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  3. ^ "Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery | Benjamin Work And Brendan Kitto: Motutapu". Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  4. ^ a b "Benjamin Work". Tautai Pacific Arts Trust. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  5. ^ "Artwork Production: Benjamin Work". Auckland Museum. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  6. ^ Gates, Charlie (2021-04-14). "Artist creates huge mural in Canterbury Museum inspired by Tongan art". Stuff. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Artwork". Auckland Museum. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  9. ^ "Artwork: Motutapu II, Bejamin Work". Canterbury Museum Collection Online. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  10. ^ "Benjamin WORK". The Arts House Trust Collection Online. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  11. ^ "Benjamin Work, the inaugural Fatu Feu'u Pacific Arts Prize recipient". Artnow. Retrieved 2024-08-29.