"The pursuit of happiness"

Both taken from the Pursuit of Happiness series. Enjoy!

Object and figure

Just a quick note on these, the cabinet image is a perfect example of what I mean by "things behind things". Details become extremely important in these large works. For me it is the foam attached to the bed. Partnered with the cabinet the two inform each other.  

Auckland Festival of Photography 2011

Auckland Festival of Photography 2011

June 9th June 9th...Keep this date free. As part of this years festival Michelle Beattie, Liesl Pfeffer, Rebecca Snelling, Paul Statham, Andrew Dryden and myself are exhibiting at Douglas & Bec. Located at 9 St Mary’s Bay Road, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland.

Click the link the festival website for more details.

Big thanks to Rebecca Snelling for her hard work in organising this show. Cant wait!


http://www.photographyfestival.org.nz/programme/detail.cfm?exhibition_id=1489&exhibition_date=1%20may%202011

New Image for the day.

Originally I had written this image off as a reject, but over time and with the series forming I found the light leak fine, in fact I like this image the most from the series. Again it pushes the fact that I shoot with film. Not only are eagles bad ass, but the share skill and time that went into crafting the sculpture is huge. I like relationship that my subjects have to personal objects. They way these 'things' can speak louder than the actual people sometimes can. Hopefully the same things I see as beautiful or extraordinary within them came across in the work.

  

Kieran Keat, 2010. Eagle (hand carved). Medium format c-type print. 1219 mm x 1219 mm.

Tiaho Photography from Oceania.

Heres a link featuring the Mexico show curated by Giles Peterson. His website is now up and running so definitly click the link. I was given the chance to exhibit not only with names like Shigeyuki Kihara, Tracey Moffatt, Becky Nunes and Michel Tuffery, but to also be exhibited in a space where as many people as possible could interact with the work. I can imagine taking the show across the globe to Mexico single handed cant be easy so big thanks to Giles who busted his ass to make it happen. Check the link!

http://gilespeterson.com/section/201648.html

Kieran Keat. St Sebastian. Photographic print. 508mm x 762mm

Ken series

Again I have had computer troubles and as a result have not been able to release more images, but finally I have it back!

So as promised here is another image from the series involving Ken, shot in his lounge. Hope you enjoy.

Kieran Keat, Ken Pope. 2010. Medium format c-type print. 1219mm x 1219mm

New Image for the day.

Kieran Keat. Ken Pope. 2010. Medium format c-type print. 1219mm x 1219mm 

Over the next few days I will post some images from series involving Ken. I really liked shooting him, and am totally greatful for his time. He works long hours and although not one to model was super natural and relaxed within his enviroment. Making my job easy!

Self Portrait series

Kieran Keat. 2010. Self portrait (tarp). Photographic print. 762mm x 1219mm

Self Portrait series

This work was the second self portait work done. It featured in Vice Magazine photo edition, and really started my current line of inquiry within my practice. Note that all works including the self portraits are shot by me. The joy of this photo was the experimentation in getting the image.

Untitled (in the blue corner).

Dislocation from the self.

The work investigates the use of my body as a site for art. A site to be considered a vehicle for ideas- through looking at self-obsession, the self-constructed and adornment, as well as the performance that is contained within the work.

The image provokes an audience to reflect upon the conventions and limitations within contemporary society regarding the representation of the male nude, not that of the 'naked' male. My nude refers to the artistic expression of nudity using the arts as a legitimiser, not that of every day nakedness.

In the image the audience is conscious of my performance. What I choose to present of myself even in the guise of intimacy or that of voyeur. The unselfconscious depiction of the body is also questioned as even feasible. At the core of the work is a erotic and urge to be desired in the same way I desire.

New Image for the day.

William in childhood bedroom (Beachhaven). Medium format c-type print. 1219 x 1219 mm.

Books now available for sale through Blurb.com

The pleasure of finding things out. by Kieran Keat | Make Your Own Book

These books are large format (30 cm x 30 cm). Full color. 64 pages.

This book is amoung the collection of both Whitecliffe college of Arts & Design in Auckland NZ and Montclair State University in New Jersey USA. Blurb did a really nice job of these, so get in and stock your bookshelf with my artist book....NOW...

Im serious...Do it now..

New Works!!

Ok, so its been awhile between posts, lack of internet is to blame, but finally.....

Above images all from same series. Parents house (Birkdale). Medium format c-type print.

All 1219 x 1219 mm

End of Year Whitecliffe Year 4 Graduation Show.


Date: Friday, 19th November, 2010, 5.30pm. Venue: St Georges Bay Road Studios and Pearce Gallery



The final push is on for Whitecliffe College’s Graduation show for 2010. The exhibition will consist of each discipline the school has to offer, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion and Photo/Film and video. This year is only the second time in the school history that the show will be held at the Saint Georges Bay road campus (See Map and please note Fashion Department show is held off campus), and if the previous Grad show or the fourth year midyear exhibition earlier in the year are any indicator of the things to come then it is definitely a night not to be missed. I will be among the 22 students in the Fine Art department on show.

On the night there will be wine and food for all, as well as good company and a high standard of emerging artists on hand to be scooped up (hint).

Please stay tuned to updates to the status of the show through my blog. Including a sponser list as the sponsers are announced and images of student work. The campus has no allocated parking but there is lots of free and paid parking located around the area.

Graduation Students on show: Rachel Boag, Chanel Breen, Steven Butcher, Annabel Cousins, Scott Davies, Ines Domanovic, Ngaru Drum, Sofia Freeman, Justine Giles, Kieran Keat, Deborah Kim, Joon-young Park, Cath Polman, Lauran Ripper, Thomas Robson, Natashia Simeona, Allanah Stewart, Celeste Thornley, Jenna Trelease, Eva Trombik, Moana Warwood, Rik Wilson.



Main Campus: physical address

Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design

24 Balfour Road, Parnell St Georges Bay Road Studios and Pearce Gallery130 St Georges Bay Road Parnell.

Phone +64 9 309 5970

Facsimile +64 9 302 2957

Email info@whitecliffe.ac.nz

Artsee Benefit, Brooklyn, New York.

Hey Guys, Just a quick post about a awesome show I currently have work in. The link below the statement is to a short video of the opening night. Check it out. My work makes an appearence at 1:09!!

The art show and silent auction will begin at 8pm, and will feature a diverse selection of exquisite works by:


Elliot Arkin, Adam Miller, Jennifer Delilah, Nicholas Kahn, Ryder Cooley, Pepi Marzel, Alexandra Pacula, Danielle Lurie, Brendan Bannon, Bruno Perillo, Heidi Howard, Kieran Keat, Sarah Zar, Kyle Coniglio, Manonce Celestine, Alyssa Tanchajja, Konstantin Sergeyev, Mor Erlich, Saydi Kaufman, Adam Mugavero, Ben Tritt, Fedele Spadafera, Dylan Keefe, Thomas Scott, Aida, Haim Bargig, Daniel Gerstle, AND MANY MORE***********



ABOUT MISTER ARTSEE:
Mister ArtSee is intended to bring art experiences to neighborhoods, venues and populations not typically served by traditional art institutions. Liberated from such institutions, it will transcend cultural boundaries, be they economic, ethnic or geographic. Circumventing the typical path from studio to gallery to museum, the ArtSee vehicle will offer new modes of experience, a laboratory for new forms and perspectives that can inspire children and adults to see and think differently about art. Designed for maximum versatility, accessibility and expandability, ArtSee will be a full-service, super-efficient, self-sufficient, multipurpose art-mobile, whose possibilities are limited only by the imagination of its participants. Your contributions help Artsee give individual artist grants, and to fund projects we believe in.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Qs-NEWDVw&feature=player_embedded

TIAHO (To Shine). Mexico city. 2010.

Tīaho (To Shine) – Contemporary Photography From Oceania touring in April 2010, to Mexico City.




Tīaho (To Shine) is historically significant as the first touring exhibition of contemporary photography and moving image from New Zealand and Oceania to be shown in Mexico. We both share the Pacific Ocean, and many other cultural resonances connect the two regions.



Tīaho, from the Maori language meaning “to emit rays of light, to shine, to bring forth”, features the work of 26 new generation media artists, originating from eight Pacific nations. They work at the interface of customary and contemporary practice today, across the spectrum of digital and analogue photography, including portraiture, moving image/ video performance, animation and film.

The exhibition will show across the city at three venues: The Instituto Latino De Mexico, The Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, and The Palacio Municpal de Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico State.

It’s desired that the exhibit interacts with as many young people as possible; to communicate through the power of art.

The Tīaho exhibition features documentary photography and video as well as self -portraiture, a large section on Pacific tattoo and body art, street fashion and adornment, youth and pop culture, underground hip-hop music video and photography and work exploring social networking sites and new communities such as Bebo, Facebook and myspace. Traditions of today are created, reflecting lived realities and hopes for a better future.

Tīaho ( To Shine) – Contemporary Photography from Oceania explores a range of narratives that make links with the changing world view of the Pacific and Oceania, self and cultural expression, Post Colonialiaty, idenitity and identification, globalisation, the migrants’ experience, survival, politics, the environment, spirituality and the situation of what it is is to speak from a position of different cultural perspectives and backgrounds.

The 26 exhibiting artists originate from New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, Niue, Australia and the Cook Islands. They are: Edith Amituanai, Reweti Arapere, Torika Bolatagici, Quinton Carrington, Melanie Fer Don, Kay George, Niki Hastings-McFall, Lonnie Hutchinson, Anita Jacobsen, Leilani Kake, Kieran Keat, Terry Koloamatangi Klavenes, Vinesh Kumaran, Janet Lilo, Becky Nunes, Rosanna Raymond, Marlon Rivers, Greg Semu, Siliga David Setoga, Lisa Taouma, Nooroa Tapuni, Tracey Tawhiao, Angela Tiatia, Michel Tuffery, Tracey Moffat and Shigeyuki Kihara.

Tīaho (To Shine) is the 42nd exhibition curated by art historian and lecturer Giles Peterson who lectures in New Zealand and Pacific art and design history at Whitecliffe College in Auckland, New Zealand. Tiaho celebrates over 16 years of independent curating by Peterson who first came to Mexico in January 2009 on a study tour.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an education programme, curator’s talk and workshops with students exploring digital media, social curating and key themes in the exhibition. It is hoped that young people will engage with the work and be able to conduct projects and assignments around the key themes of the exhibition in relation to curriculum learning. An important part of the project will be the documentation of young peoples’ interaction.

- Giles Peterson, curator

(Taken from press release.)

Kieran Keat. St Sebastian. Photographic print. 508mm x 762mm

 

 Kieran Keat. Untitled (The pleasure of finding things out). Photograph. 1219mm x 1219mm.

Within this image issues of the mother-son connection are played out in an attempt to decipher the role of masculinity within family and to gain answers on why such connections/disconnections exist in New Zealand society.


This image is taken from an ongoing series that attempts to capture the stories of those that exist in a space between ordinary and extraordinary. The moment depicted is located within the genre of performance, yet this private moment becomes a vehicle to address themes of normality, family and desires of belonging and understanding. The role of the artist to depict real information and recreated fabrication gets blurred. However, you still look into the eyes of someone who witnessed history in some form, even if their role in it was minute, meaning that within this scene more than one truth is told.