“Stone holds history as snapshots. Not as mineral texts to be read but as an enduring wedge of time and matter made solid… To carve this material is to work with the history of the Earth – of water, soil, and air – to surface stories and meaning from a material that has always existed,…”
Amy Stewart, Art New Zealand, Autumn 2023.
Photography:@petereesphotography
ANTON FORDE
Resident Artist at Forde Gallery
“with these works, my hope is to bring attention to the need for us to unify to protect Te Ao / our world for future generations. I hope these works connect us to our whenua / land and moana / oceans in a way that makes us want to do more to protect them.”
Viva, 10.11.2022
Anton Forde (Taranaki, Gaeltacht, Gaelic, English) began carving aged 18 and studied art under influential sculptors Paul Dibble, Gary Whiting and Paul Hansen, then Professor Robert Jahnke at Massey University’s Māori Visual Arts Programme Toioho ki Āpiti. Under the supervision of Professor Jahnke, Anton gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts with Distinction, and also achieved a Masters of Māori Visual Arts with First Class Honours.
Forde has since spent extended periods living in Taranaki- and in Èire/ Ireland learning ancient art themes. He now calls Waiheke Island home.
Forde has exhibited both as a solo artist and as part of group exhibitions, in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Èire/ Ireland and San Francisco, concentrating on sculptures and installations over the past twelve years. His works feature in public and private collections both in New Zealand and around the world.
Connection to the land, majesty of nature, first nation indigenous cultures and the effects of climate change are the main themes that Anton Forde’s work explores, building on the idea that each individual work can make an aesthetic as well as a social statement.
2024
- Sculpture by the Sea Cottlesloe, Papare/ Protection. Award - staff pick. Mostyn Foundation
- Aotearoa Art Fair selection to exhibit entranceway sculptures - Tūmanawa and Haramai with Shiree Reihana
- Lead Artist Simplicity Living and works for Rangeview Apartments
- Māhutonga Solo Show at Waiheke Community Art Gallery, New Zealand
- Papare Eighty.one exhibition at Pātaka Art + Museum, Porirua, New Zealand
- Tūhono / Stand in Connection entranceway work exhibition at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi
- Huia | Onslow exhibition at Onslow, Princes St, Auckland
- Grammar House Tour Exhibition, Auckland
- Under the Table Group Show, Studio Ten81, Waiheke Island
- Commission private collections
2023
- Sculpture by the Sea Bondi – 25th Anniversary. Papare/ Protection. Award- Artists Pick.
- Ngā Manaaki Sculpture installation at Brick Bay Sculpture Park.
- New Works- Mike Crawford, Anton Forde, Israel Birch. Milford Galleries
- Studio 9d- Milford Galleries
- Contracted ringatoi/ artist for projects Kupenga, Oranga, Greenslade Northcote purchased by Simplicity Living.
- Member Design team on Simplicity Living for developments “Rei Puta”; Ascot Ave “Waiatarua”; Rangeview Avenue - Auckland
- Tūhura Sculpture Invitational – Milford Galleries 17th February -15th April 2023.
- Summer Show- Milford Galleries Dunedin
2022
- The Whakatipu Chronicle- Milford Galleries Queenstown
- Summer Show- Milford Galleries Dunedin
- Tūhononga- exhibited the Old Government House.
- Kāmaka- Solo Exhibition Bentley Motors Showroom Tamaki Makarau.
- Rauaroha/ Tū tika o Nehe- British High commission/ Pipitea Marae Commission
- Sculpture on the Gulf – Te Kotahitanga o Whakamaru- Runner up People’s Choice
- Kia Maharatia- Te whanganui a Tara- Whitespace
- Studio 18d- Milford Galleries
- NZLiving Northcote and Tāmaki developments for Kainga ora, KiwiBuild, First home buyers and the Private sector.
- Represented by Milford Galleries https://www.milfordgalleries.co.nz/queenstown/artists/462-Anton-Forde
- Te Puna o Waiariki- The Keepers Cottage, Albert Park, Tāmaki Makaurau. Ngahina Hohaia, Graham tipene, Penny Howard, James Ormsby.
- New Works- Mike Crawford, Anton Forde, Israel Birch. Milford Galleries
- Studio 9d- Milford Galleries
- NZLiving Northcote and Tāmaki developments for Kainga ora, KiwiBuild, First home buyers and the Private sector.
- Exhibiting at Lewenz Studio Gallery, Church Bay Waiheke Island.
- Represented by Whitespace Contemporary Art Gallery https://www.whitespace.co.nz/artists/anton-forde
- Represented by Milford Galleries https://www.milfordgalleries.co.nz/queenstown/artists/462-Anton-Forde
2021
- Te Puna o Waiariki- The Keepers Cottage, Albert Park, Tāmaki Makaurau. Ngahina Hohaia, Graham tipene, Penny Howard, James Ormsby.
- New Works- Mike Crawford, Anton Forde, Israel Birch. Milford Galleries
- Studio 9d- Milford Galleries
- NZLiving Northcote and Tāmaki developments for Kainga ora, KiwiBuild, First home buyers and the Private sector.
- Exhibiting at Lewenz Studio Gallery, Church Bay Waiheke Island.
- Represented by Whitespace Contemporary Art Gallery https://www.whitespace.co.nz/artists/anton-forde
- Represented by Milford Galleries https://www.milfordgalleries.co.nz/queenstown/artists/462-Anton-Forde
2020
- Ngā Roimata o Ranginui- The Tears of Ranginui. A collaboration with Ngahina Hohaia for the University of Auckland
- NZLiving Northcote and Tāmaki developments for Kainga ora, KiwiBuild, First home buyers and the Private sector.
- Exhibiting at Lewenz Studio Gallery, Church Bay Waiheke Island.
- Three Commission works for Josh and Helen Emett restaurant https://www.onslow.nz/art/
- Solo Exhibition MINE October 2020- Artweek Auckland
- Invited to exhibit at Whitespace Contemporary Art Gallery https://www.whitespace.co.nz/artists/anton-forde
2019
- February Waitangi Exhibition “Iti Pounamu”
- March 1st-24th “Pen to Peace to Peace to Peaceful Pen.”- Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf.
- Wallace Awards Finalist Pen to Peace to Peaceful Pen- A Reflection
- Commission “Wero Waka” Vodafone Wero Whitewater Park
- Commission Cable Bay Vineyard
- Commission Matakana Valley
- Commission- NZ Living- Onehunga Development
- November 22nd-December 15th. Solo exhibition- He Hīnatōre o ngā Toroa- The Light of the Albatross. Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke
- Masters of Māori Visual Arts Final year. Toioho ki Āpiti- Supervisor Professor Robert Jahnke. Completed 5 major works including "He Poutama Ki Te Ao Marama", "Headland Sculpture on the Gulf 2019 – Pen to Peace to Peaceful Pen", "Waka Nga Hononga- Vector arena/ Vector Wero Whitewater Park", "Solo Exhibition- He Hīnatōre o ngā Toroa- The Light of the Albatross"
- Wallace Award Final collaboration with Peter Rees
2018
- Selected final twenty-seven artists for ‘Headland Sculpture on the Gulf, 2019’.
- Invited Artist for the ‘NZ Sculpture on the Shore, 2018’.
- October – Solo Exhibition, ‘He Poutama ki Te Ao Marama- The Sacred Steps towards the World of Light’, Te Whare Taonga o Waiheke. Now held in Trust in a private collection
- Commission Māhutonga- The Southern Cross located at Shotover Point Luxury accommodation Kimai-ākau- The Shotover River.
- Commission NZ Living Otahuhu Central city.
- ‘Waitangi Te Kohao o Te Ngira’ exhibition, Waiheke.
2017
- October – Paul and Shelley Carrington commissioned ‘Powderham’ Pou New Plymouth.
- September – Commissioned Long Bay Valley Estate- Waka Nene and Tamati.
- June – Mataariki Exhibition, ‘He Kainga Rangimarie- A Peaceful Home’.
- April – Commissioned Waiheke Primary School ‘Pou Kuia’.
- March – Commissioned ‘Omiha’ Paul and Shelley Carrington.
- March – Waiheke House Tour
- January – ‘Sculpture on the Gulf’ pavilion Invited Artist- ‘There’s Gold in Them there Hills’.
2016
- December – ‘Waimarie Calling’, Bev and Nigel Marshall
- November – Auckland Grammar Art Tour
- October – Commission ‘Kotare Calling’, 78 Cormandel Road, Kotare House
- June – Waiheke Winter Arts Festival
- February – ‘Seven Waka Came into Te Atatu’ Harbourview Sculpture Trail. Sold to Paul and Shelley Carrington
- February – Commissioned ‘Remembering Wai-iti’, Paul and Shelley Carrington. Wai –Iti Campground
2015
- December – Commissioned ‘Te Atatu Whanau’, Te Atatau Peninsula
- November – ‘We are all Vessels’- Jassy Dean Art in the Garden Auction
- September – Commissioned ‘Nau Mai Haere mai ki Owhanake’ Sir Noel and Lady Sue Robinson
- Mataariki – ‘Kuia’, Waiheke Community Art Gallery
- June – Waiheke Winter Arts Festival
- June – ‘Jostle’ Waiheke Community Art Gallery
- April – Commissioned Wharetana Bay
- February – ‘Water, Water Everywhere’, Waiheke Community Art Gallery
2014
- January/ February – ‘Waiheke Heats up’, Waiheke Community Art Gallery
- December – ‘We Came By Boat’, Sculpt Oneroa
- June- Commissioned ‘Te Rae Revisited’, Point Chevalier
- August – Commissioned ‘Waiheke Revisited’, Tiri Road, Waiheke Island.
- March/ April – ‘Te Atatu Revisited’, Harbourview Sculpture Trail, Te Atatu Peninsula
- January – ‘The Art of Protest’, Toi Gallery
2013
- December - April 2014 'Sculpt Oneroa Nga TokoTama whitu'. Toi Gallery
- September- Solo Exhibition, ‘Listening to Silence’, Waiheke Community Art Gallery
- June – Mataariki Exhibition Toi Gallery
- April – May Exhibiting Toi Gallery
- February – ‘Matauranga Whakapiki’, Commissioned by Auckland University for a 15 piece installation by Michael Steedman (Ngāti Whatua) Kaiarahi Science
- January – Sculpt Oneroa, ‘The Kuia Know Too’
- January – Sculpt Oneroa, Toi Gallery
2012
- December – Waiheke Heats Up, Waiheke Community Art Gallery
- November – Waiheke Bayleys Art in the Garden
- September – ‘Goldie Award’ commission
- July – ‘Journeys’- Toi Gallery
- June – ‘Whenua ki te whenua Mataariki’
- April – ‘After’ a solo exhibition, The Goldie Room
