Bird Land

The islands of Aotearoa New Zealand were once inhabited by birds. Shrieking, warbling, tinkling, booming. Poised, strutting, gliding, dancing in scribbled loops through the air. Forest, river, marsh, mountain, ocean, shore—everything charged with their mauri, life force.

Across centuries, artists have strived to capture the essence of birds, creating a rich dialogue that traces human and avian histories in parallel. This book is an immersive visual exploration of the cultural, ecological and imaginative breadth of the realm of birds—from ancient rock art and Māori treasures, to colonial and scientific drawings and paintings, to modern and contemporary sculpture, weaving, carving, ceramics and photography. This is Bird Land, through the eyes of many of New Zealand’s most significant artists.

Featuring a selection of engaging and wide-ranging texts by curator Ken Hall, Māori historian Te Maire Tau, musician and author Ariana Tikao, novelist Peter Walker, art historian Rebecca Rice, de-extinction expert Douglas Campbell, weaver Kohai Grace, ornithologist Michael Szabo, documentary maker Bill Morris and writer Greg O’Brien, as well as interviews with artists.

Full-page colour illustrations of more than 120 artworks alongside short, engaging curatorial texts. Featured artists include Don Binney, Conor Clarke, Shane Cotton, Lily Daff, Elizabeth and John Gould, Fred Graham, Bill Hammond, Charles Heaphy, Ralph Hotere, Emily Karaka, Eileen Mayo, Colin McCahon, Dane Mitchell, Anne Noble, Fiona Pardington, Michael Parekōwhai, Bridget Reweti, Wi Taepa, Lois White, Robin White—and many, many more!