Reflections on Art in the Park – and Why Art History Matters

I have just returned from Art in the Park at Eden Park, and I am still buzzing. This year was wildly successful – in fact, I sold out of all my works. That result is, of course, gratifying on a personal level, but what really stays with me are the people, the conversations, and the energy of the event.

The team behind Art in the Park deserve enormous recognition. Cary, Sophia and Linda are the beating heart of this exhibition – smart, energetic, inclusive and fun. They foster a culture of camaraderie that runs right through both the nationwide and regional arts communities. Their commitment has built an environment where artists can thrive and the public can engage in genuine and joyful ways. And none of this would be possible without the leadership of Nick, CEO of Eden Park, whose vision makes it possible for art to fill such an iconic venue. I am deeply grateful to them all.

One of the most fascinating things about exhibiting is watching how the public interact with my work. Time and time again people stop, drawn by a sense of mystery, trying to figure out what the medium is. When I tell them that it is photography – photographs of material taken with a slow shutter speed – I often see a moment of recoil as they realise their mind has been fooled. Then comes curiosity, and they lean closer, discovering the folds, textures and tiny details of fabric that underpin each image. What follows are the conversations I love most: people sharing what they see, what they feel, and sometimes even a story from their own life that a piece has unlocked. Again and again, I have watched people fall in love with one specific artwork that speaks to them, and these moments are the true reward for me.

The fiscal outcome of selling out my works is valuable, but it is the human connections and cultural enrichment that matter most. And that leads me to a national issue that I cannot ignore – the proposed removal of Art History from the New Zealand curriculum.

To cut Art History is to cut away an entire dimension of how we understand ourselves. This subject is not just about names and dates – it is about cultural literacy, empathy and critical thinking. It is about understanding how societies express themselves and how creativity reflects – and shapes – human life. When students are denied access to Art History, they lose an opportunity to see themselves within the sweep of culture, and to recognise their place in the ongoing story of humanity.

The decision is not only culturally impoverishing, it is economically short-sighted. My own career as a Graphic Designer, singer and exhibiting artist is a direct result of discovering Art History at school. The arts are a significant contributor to GDP and exports in New Zealand, and the knowledge embedded in art history strengthens that contribution. To diminish it in our education system will reduce both cultural understanding and fiscal benefit to our nation.

Art in the Park reminded me again of the hunger that exists for art, for story, for connection. Thousands of people came through Eden Park because they wanted to be part of that. They wanted to be moved, surprised, challenged and delighted. It is proof that art matters, and that cultural knowledge enriches not only individual lives but our collective national identity.
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So while I celebrate the extraordinary success of this year’s exhibition – and give thanks to Cary, Sophia, Linda and Nick for creating such a brilliant platform – I also raise my voice in protest. We must protect and preserve Art History in our schools. To lose it is to risk raising a generation with narrower horizons and diminished cultural understanding. We owe our future artists, designers, musicians, thinkers and audiences more than that.