Original pencil sketch by Fred Graham, c 1985

From Tauranga City Library’s archives
A monthly blog about interesting items in our collection

Part of our work in the Heritage and Research Team at Tauranga City Libraries involves the discovery and wonder of long forgotten taonga, through our journey to document and make accessible our collections.  One such item we recently unearthed, as part of our digitisation programme, is an original sketch of a carving for Mount Maunganui Borough Council by the world-renowned carver/sculptor, Fred Graham.

Tauranga City Libraries Ams 326

Fred Graham 1928- is an acclaimed contemporary sculptor of Ngāti Korokī Kahukura descent and was born in the South Waikato town of Arapuni. Having trained to be a teacher, throughout the 1950s Graham worked as an arts adviser to Māori primary schools throughout Rotorua and Te Tai Tokerau/Northland and during 1963-1965 he was an art teacher at Tauranga Boys College.  He has many sculptures displayed in prominent public spaces in New Zealand and his work integrates Māori mythology and art practices with Western modernism.

The sketch is dated c. 1985 and resides in the Tauranga City Libraries archives, viewable by request.  The carving, which was originally created for the Mount Maunganui Borough Council, was gifted to Mount Maunganui Library when their Council amalgamated with Tauranga in 1989.  Now hung high above the circulation desk, it is a fitting home for the carving, depicting the Legend of Mauao, in a library which physically sits in its shadow.

Legend of Mauao – Photograph taken by Jody Smart, Tauranga City Libraries

In comparing the original sketch to the mural, we are afforded much more detail about the conceptual planning and information about sketches, materials used and meanings behind the artistic details.  It illuminates the ideas the artist had in mind when he was planning his artwork.

For further insight into the work of Fred Graham, there is an excellent book in Ngā Wahī Rangahau (Tauranga City Libraries) titled:  Fred Graham – Creator of Forms, Te Tohunga Auhaha (2014)  by Maria de Jong, that reveals the stories behind Graham’s life and art.  He says, “I was born in 1928 – 64 years after the Battle of Orakau. At primary and high school the stories and songs were those of Britain and Europe. While I enjoyed this dimension, I am Māori, so my art is all about reminding people that Aotearoa also has poems, stories and waiatas, things which make us different to other Commonwealth communities”.

Tauranga City Library Ngā Wāhi Rangahau Māori – 730.92 DEJO

Sources: 

Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki (27th January 2022).  Fred Graham.  aucklandartgallery.com. https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artist/2279

Pae Korokī (27th January 2022). Original pencil sketch by Fred Graham for the Mount Maunganui Library mural c. 1985 (Ams 326). https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/57219

The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi (27th January 2022). Fred. https://www.thearts.co.nz/artists/fred-graham

This archival item is digitised and has been added to Pae Korokī. For more information about other items in our collection, visit Pae Korokī or email the Heritage & Research Team: Research@tauranga.govt.nz

Written by Jody Smart, Heritage Specialist at Tauranga City Libraries.