Story: Criticism and the arts

'Kiss the baby good-bye'

'Kiss the baby good-bye'

In 'Kiss the baby good-bye' artist Michael Parekowhai contributed to the debate about Pākehā artists such as Gordon Walters appropriating Māori imagery for their works. Parekowhai's work, constructed in black painted steel, mimics Walters's 1968 painting 'Kahukura'. In doing so, it 'reappropriates' the koru motif often used by Walters.

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Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Reference: C1994/1/540.1-2
Artwork by Michael Parekowhai

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Rebecca Rice and Mark Williams, 'Criticism and the arts - Critical approaches, 1980s onwards', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/42943/kiss-the-baby-good-bye (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Rebecca Rice and Mark Williams, published 22 Oct 2014