Brett a'Court
Brett a'Court | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1968 Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Artist |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Known for | Ceramics and oil painting, Christian iconography, Māori motifs |
| Notable work | Manu-Kahu (2007) |
Brett a'Court (born 1968) is an artist from New Zealand who has been residing in Waipu, located in the Northland, since 1995. Between 2002 and 2024, he has presented 12 solo exhibitions throughout New Zealand, with his artworks held in both private and public collections across the country.
Early life
Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, a'Court completed his schooling in the Auckland suburb of Glendowie. Following his marriage, he moved to the rural town of Waipu in 1995, where he concentrated on developing his skills in ceramics and oil painting.
Work
A'Court’s first solo exhibition, Lectio Divina (2002 at Letham Gallery, Ponsonby), was commercially successful and encouraged him to dedicate himself fully to painting. Despite facing financial difficulties during the subsequent four years, he relied on his Christian beliefs and drew inspiration from Colin McCahon, Renaissance art, and religious iconography to delve into spiritual themes within his creations.
The 2006 exhibition Lingua Sacra, held at Auckland’s Parnell Community Centre, explored darker subject matter by intertwining sexuality with spirituality. In 2008, Do Not Fear at Wallace Gallery presented provocative Christian sexual imagery that challenged viewers, while another 2008 show titled Beyond the religious image offered a more approachable interpretation of contemporary Christian mysticism, building upon McCahon’s spiritual investigations.
His 2007 oil painting Manu-Kahu, which combines European Christian symbolism with Māori motifs and incorporates speech bubbles reminiscent of McCahon’s style, was met with critical acclaim.
In 2018, a'Court’s inaugural Northland solo exhibition, Sheep, goats and other introduced spirits at Whangārei's Hangar Gallery, continued his fusion of Christian iconography with rural Pākehā culture. The works addressed themes such as colonisation, introduced animal species, human anatomy, and vanitas traditions.
He received accolades as both runner-up and winner of the Hugo Charitable Trust Award during Waikato Museum’s 2021 National Contemporary Art Award for his piece Rua Kēnana and Pinepine Te Rika’s descent from Mt Maungapōhatu, portraying the Māori prophet Rua Kēnana alongside his wife at a significant sacred location.
The 2022 solo exhibition Shadow of the Epiphany at Hangar Gallery further investigated Christian mysticism alongside the histories of Māori prophets affiliated with Taranaki’s Ringatū and Rātana faiths. Many artworks were painted on stretched woollen blankets symbolizing the complex legacies of British colonisation—both hardship and comfort.
His 2024 exhibition titled Kings, Saints and Prophets – Kingi, Hunga, Tapu me nga Poropiti showcased eleven woollen blanket portraits depicting historic Māori leaders and prophets. These works emphasized their spiritual journeys shaped by a blend of traditional beliefs and Christian principles centered on peace and reconciliation.
Looking forward to 2025, a'Court plans a solo exhibition named Revelations and Regrets (Aotearoa New Zealand in the mid-19th century), which will portray individuals and events from a transformative era marked by the New Zealand Wars, the emergence of Māori prophetic movements merging Christianity with indigenous spirituality, widespread deforestation for agriculture, and the decline of native wildlife.
Personal life
Since marrying Rachel in 1995, a'Court has lived with his family in their home studio located in Waipu. The couple has two children.
Collections and awards
- Held within the collection of the Whangārei Art Museum.
- Included in the holdings of the James Wallace Arts Trust.
- Finalist at the 2003 Whakatāne National Ceramics competition.
- Shortlisted for the Wallace Art Awards in 2008.
- Runner-up and recipient of the Hugo Charitable Trust Award at the 2021 National Contemporary Art Award, Waikato Museum.
- Finalist in the 2022 National Contemporary Art Award hosted by Waikato Museum.
- Selected as a finalist for the 2023 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award, presented by Arts Whakatāne and Whakatāne District Council.
- Finalist in the 2023 Craigs Aspiring Art Prize, Wanaka.
- Among finalists for the 2023 WSA NZ Painting and Printmaking Awards, Waikato.
- Finalist in the 2023 National Contemporary Art Award at Waikato Museum.
- Awarded a merit prize at the 2024 Craigs Aspiring Art Prize, Wanaka.
- Exhibited as a finalist in the 2024 Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award.
- Finalist for the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize, Wanaka, in 2025.
- Shortlisted for the WSA NZ Painting and Printmaking Awards, Waikato, in 2025.
- Included among finalists for the 2025 National Contemporary Art Award at Waikato Museum.
Exhibitions
- Presented Lectio Divina, a solo exhibition at Letham Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland, in 2002.
- Exhibited works continuously from 2002 to 2007 at Grantham Gallery, Auckland.
- Held a solo exhibition titled Lingua Sacra at Art-Artz within Parnell Community Centre, Auckland, in 2006.
- Participated in Theology and Art, a group exhibition at Salisbury House, Dunedin, in 2008.
- Showcased Do Not Fear, a solo exhibition at Wallace Gallery, Auckland, during 2008.
- Presented another solo exhibition called Behind the religious image at Wallace Gallery, Auckland, also in 2008.
- Displayed Pathos, a solo show at Satellite Gallery, Auckland, in 2009.
- Featured alongside Ewan McDougall in a group exhibition at Thermostat Gallery, Palmerston North, in 2009.
- Contributed to Crucifixion, a group exhibit held at Hangar Gallery, Whangārei, in 2010.
- Participated in a group show at Village Arts Gallery, Kohukohu, Hokianga, also in 2010.
- Exhibited as part of Credo and Quest, a group show at Whangārei Art Museum in 2011.
- Included in Several Artists, a group exhibition at Art-Artz during 2013.
- Took part in Fabrications, a group show hosted by 3rd Space, Auckland, also in 2013.
- Held a solo exhibition titled Visions of reality at Museum of the Vernacular, Auckland, in 2013.
- Presented Grottos, Shrines and Sacred spaces, a solo show at Thermostat Gallery, Palmerston North, during 2013.
- Displayed selected works from the collection at Whangārei Art Museum in 2015.
- Participated in House of Cards, a group exhibition at The Incubator, Tauranga, also in 2015.
- Presented Flesh and Spirit, a solo exhibition spanning 2015–16 at TSB Pah Homestead under Wallace Arts Trust, Auckland.
- Joined the group exhibition Printing & Paint Atelier at Hangar Gallery, Whangārei, in 2017.
- Showcased Sheep, goats and other introduced spirits, a solo show held at Hangar Gallery, Whangārei, in 2018.
- Featured in Here & There, a group exhibition hosted by Megan Dickinson Gallery, Whangārei, during 2020.
- Participated in Mugshots, a group show presented by Hangar Art and Framing, Whangārei, also in 2020.
- Exhibited as part of Huia, a group show at Zimmerman Art Gallery, Palmerston North, in 2022.
- Selected works displayed at Boyd-Dunlop Gallery, Napier, during 2022.
- Held a solo exhibition titled Shadow of the Epiphany at Hangar Gallery, Whangārei, also in 2022.
- Contributed to Bones, a group exhibit hosted by Zimmerman Art Gallery, Palmerston North, during 2022.
- Presented a small solo show called Redemption Songs at Scott Lawrie Gallery, Auckland, in 2022.
- Participated in Rabbit, a group exhibition held by Zimmerman Art Gallery, Palmerston North, during 2023.
- Held another small solo show named Two Prophets, Two Angels at Scott Lawrie Gallery, Auckland, also in 2023.
- Selected pieces exhibited again at Boyd-Dunlop Gallery, Napier during 2023.
- Took part in two group exhibitions—Deep and UP—both hosted by Zimmerman Art Gallery, Palmerston North in 2024.
- Presented a solo exhibition entitled Kings, Saints and Prophets – Kingi, Hunga Tapu me nga Poropiti at Satellite 2 Gallery, Auckland in 2024.
- Scheduled for a solo show called Revelations and Regrets at Zimmerman Art Gallery, Palmerston North for 2025.